Based on principles of the Council for Basic Education, this book outlines a curriculum and pedagogy for an elementary school which would prepare children for national fourth grade examinations. The book is divided into six sections. The first section examines the background of elementary school students in the 1990s and presents ways for schools…

Discusses the new Advanced Placement course in statistics as an alternative to calculus for high school seniors. Broad conceptual themes of the course are exploring data, planning a study, anticipating patterns in advance, and statistical inference. Provides a list of College Board regional offices to contact for more information. (MKR)

Discusses the results of the 1996 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) of secondary school students on probability and statistics. The most recent results indicate that more attention is being given to data analysis, statistics, and probability, and that student performance on these items is gradually improving compared to the 1990…

An alternative model for the 16+ examinations presently being tested by examining boards is suggested which would allow for differing levels of achievement for different student populations. (RM)

Briefly summarized are results from a report on mathematics assessments in 32 states. The general trend in mathematics achievement is upward, since the mid-1970's in some states and the early 1980's in others. Patterns are noted for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with whole numbers; fractions; decimals; numeration; geometry;…

Reports on a study into the problem solving abilities of students in a Jamaican high school who were intentionally taught problem solving strategies during one-sixth of their mathematics instruction for one academic year. Results indicated no significant increases in their performance on a problem solving test. (TW)

The advantages of a defined syllabus in second language teaching, especially in relation to public examinations, are discussed. The origin and development of the York defined syllabuses are described, and extracts are given from the introductory document and the French and Russian syllabuses. (RM)

This bulletin reports some of the findings from an analysis of assessments in mathematics that have been conducted in 32 states. Note is made of the variability in state reports, which make data comparisons implausible. Trends, however, could be observed. Each state department was contacted for a copy of the most recent mathematics assessment…

Problems of development of a defined syllabus for modern language courses are discussed, as well as the relationship of the syllabus to testing and public examinations in particular. (RM)

Reports that the developmental process for national standards for K-12 instruction in the arts is nearing completion. Discusses issues and criticisms relevant to the national standards movement and to music education. (CFR)

In 1980-82, the Second International Mathematics Study (SIMS) was conducted in 20 countries, including Japan. This study was conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). This paper constitutes a summary of the research relating to the level of mathematics achievement of Japanese students. The…

Reports results of the Second International Science Study concerning achievement in physics of U.S. high school students. Makes comparisons between students of 13 other countries and U.S. students, between first- and second-year U.S. physics students, and between U.S. students tested in the mid-1980s and those tested in 1970. (MDH)

This document summarizes the results of a national survey that tested 4th, 8th, and 12th graders' ability to analyze geographic data in a variety of formats; explain complex geographic phenomena and processes; and show knowledge of relationships between human and geographic events. The survey tested three content dimensions: space and place,…

Discusses possible impact of a new system of examination of high school physics students in England and Wales. Outlines the schemes of assessment that have been accepted by the Secondary Education Council as meeting the new National Criteria, and suggests how teachers might begin to produce their own assessment programs. (TW)

Discusses the science component of the Oxford Certificate of Educational Achievement (OCEA). Proposes that this measure be used for assessing the process skills of physics students as part of the new General Certificate of Secondary Education, which mandates that 20% of student's performance be measured in practical and experimental work. (TW)