Presents counselors with educational alternatives for gifted secondary students including college level courses and examinations for credit. Presents survey information from several colleges and universities about their early enrollment policies and educational alternatives for gifted students. (PAS)

The Chicago Board of Education's testing and tutoring program allows high school students to qualify for advanced classes, independent study, and credit in 29 foreign languages. Tapping the city's diverse ethnic resources for materials preparation and tutoring, the program has increased language enrollments by motivating students to explore their…

State policymakers' attitudes toward time-shortened degree programs were investigated through a questionnaire sent to legislators and directors of statewide governing or coordinating boards. Credit by examination and early college entrance are seen as among the best methods of time shortening; reducing requirements, among the poorest. (Author/LBH)

The Northern Tier Distance Learning Consortium links six high schools and three colleges in northeastern Pennsylvania. Indiana students participated in an interactive distance-learning program that focused on underwater exploration. (MLF)

Described is a curriculum survey of general chemistry courses at the college level and an evaluation survey of the advanced placement chemistry examination. Results indicated that the AP chemistry course should remain broad in coverage and should expand its laboratory component. Analyses also indicated that the AP exam was appropriate and valid.…

Responds to claims that teachers are inadequately prepared to teach advanced placement courses in U.S. government and politics. Contends that political scientists can assist secondary teachers by offering summer workshops. Defends the curriculum as an accurate reflection of a college-level course in introductory politics. (NL)

Presents a brief overview of the 1989 Dow Jones Intensive Journalistic Writing Institute at Marquette University. (MM)

Discusses statistics that indicate an increase in minority participation in Advanced Placement Program classes. Minority students' scores have also improved, allowing them to qualify for course slots at colleges. The implications of minority students' newfound fascination with technological studies is discussed. (JS)

Synthesizes existing, isolated bits of information on U.S. secondary student enrollment in advanced science courses. Among the findings for grades 10, 11, and 12, the percentage of those students enrolled in Advanced Biology is 20, 26, and 54. Advanced Chemistry is 0, 33, and 67; and Advanced Physics is 0, 10, and 90. (PR)

In this interview, a high school art teacher explains why her initial enthusiasm for block scheduling evaporated. Problems arose with foreign-language instruction, science labs, lesson planning, field trips, space utilization, supplies, and overenrollment in elective subjects like music and art. Teachers had little control or administrative…

This case study reflects block scheduling's effects on advanced-placement mathematics courses of one veteran teacher tracking personal progress since 1989. Block scheduling began in 1994, creating problems for the teacher, whose resistance to the reform was based on declining advanced-placement scores. Teacher attitude and insufficient…

Describes an Advanced Placement (AP) European history course in a multiethnic, urban school. Provides information on the course and a discussion on teaching strategies, materials, and testing methods. Includes student comments on AP European history versus AP world history. (CMK)

Discusses the debates concerning (1) content and process in social studies and history and (2) testing and standards in California, noting that Advanced Placement (AP) courses demand a high scholarly standard. Focuses on the AP European history course and examination, addressing history as interpretation, teaching analytical essay writing, and AP…

Can a diverse suburban high school on Long Island eliminate academic tracks and still produce high-achieving students? The answer in Rockville Centre, New York, is decidedly yes. Statistics tell part of the story: 60 percent of the senior class at South Side High School is enrolled in Advanced Placement calculus, including 40 percent of the…

College-based programs that motivate underachieving teenagers to graduate and pursue further education is part of a menu of initiatives Guilford County, North Carolina, has introduced to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students in its middle and high schools, where racial and ethnic diversity and poverty have been on the rise. As…