The math problem is common to most U.S. school districts, and education leaders are well aware that U.S. math achievement lags far behind many other countries in the world. University Place (Washington) School District Superintendent Patti Banks found the conspicuous income gap for math scores even more disturbing. In her school district, only 23%…

Describes a senior year program involving minicourses, career exploration, and a tutorial program that helps students bridge the transition from high school. (MD)

Curriculum standards for California's secondary school foreign language programs are outlined. An introductory section describes the instructional approach and objectives and the organization of the curriculum model. Subsequent sections on receptive language skills, productive language skills and culture describe the specific language functions,…

Describes a college reform effort that includes the development of a college science course for nonscience majors. The main goal of the course is to advocate the interdisciplinary nature of all sciences and to involve the students actively in the discovery process as a way of learning science. (ZWH)

West Windsor-Plainsboro High School (New Jersey) offers a tightly structured, diversified curriculum in a nontraditional open setting. The school curriculum focuses on teaching basic skills in reading, writing, science, math, and social studies; using a variety of instructional techniques; maintaining high faculty/administration commitment to…

Critiques college admission requirements, pointing out that entrance tests determine what is taught in high school curriculum. For testing to be effective, colleges and high schools must specify the content of college preparatory curriculum. (MD)

Ways to accommodate vocational electives in light of increased graduation requirements include eliminating early dismissal, offering earlier and later courses, offering required courses twice a day, minimizing schedule conflicts, allowing independent study, encouraging vocational/academic department cooperation, spreading graduation requirements…

Presents recommendations from the Ohio Council for the Social Studies for high school graduation requirements in social studies education and discusses the rationale behind proposed changes. Assesses the impact of the Council's recommendations, and defines potential cost factors involved in the recommendations. (RW)

This issue of CPRE Policy Briefs draws on a report by William Clune and others entitled "The Implementation and Effects of High School Graduation Requirements: First Steps Toward Curricular Reform." Evidence from this indepth study of the effects of education policies in six states indicates that state-mandated increases in minimum course…

The issue of retention is a persistent problem in higher education. For the past 100 years, the institutional graduation rate has stubbornly held at the 50 percent mark: half of all students entering higher education fail to realize their dreams and aspirations based on earning a certificate or degree. For students of color in particular, the…

Presents three physical geography lessons for teachers who may lack either formal training or resource materials in physical geography. The lessons are in response to the new Utah state requirements for junior high schools. Overviews each lesson, suggests activities, and lists materials needed each day. (KO)

The uses of computers by colleges and universities are described, and some definitions of computer literacy are proposed. In addition, an essay, "Computing and Higher Education: The Revolution Is Through the Gates," by Robert G. Gillespie briefly considers the efforts colleges are making to explore the potential of the personal computer.…

Seventeen high schools, representing a broad cross-section of American communities, were selected to be part of a network of schools receiving help in reconceptualizing their existing general education programs. The two-year project involved meetings of the network participants with each other and with experts to help the participants develop a…

Describes the writing-intensive courses developed at Broome Community College, Rockland Community College, and Kapiolani Community College as graduation requirements to incorporate writing permanently into the curriculum. Reviews the problems experienced at each campus in gaining faculty and student support. (DMM)

Designed to help Wyoming school districts meet the needs of their students and communities, this manual outlines the essential elements of a well-planned, comprehensive social studies curriculum. The four components of the program, each described in a separate section, are essentials of education, fundamentals of an exemplary social studies…