This policy report provides an overview of the Common Core State Standards, how they were developed, the sources that were referenced in their development, the need for educational standards generally, what they entail, and what it will mean for educators to implement them. The report draws from research and reference material to outline the…

The use of data for making educational decisions and to assess educational outcomes has been legislated by political bodies and codified by accreditation. Faculty have always used data to inform the grading process--data is gathered throughout the term to inform the letter grade assigned at the end. However, in today's educational environment,…

This paper considers noncredit instruction in the California Community College System. It identifies three related concepts: a state need for increased levels of education that noncredit instruction is well placed to supply, several changes that begin to facilitate that response, and additional changes that are needed to ensure success. The…

The challenge of educating the limited- or non-English-speaking (LES/NES) student is discussed in four papers: "Aspects of Bilingual Education for LES/NES Students" by Heidi Dulay and Marina Burt, "Definition and Measurement of Bilingual Students" by Edward A. De Avila and Sharon E. Duncan, "Bilingual Education for the…

The Guidance and Counseling Task Force of the California State Department of Education was charged with the task of studying the pupil personnel services available to students in California schools and of developing a plan for improving and extending those services where needed. This document is the result of more than a year of study and direct…

The Bay Area Comer Development Program's "Readiness Five Phase Plan" was developed to bring the school sites involved in the Bay Area School Development Program (SDP) closer to the mission and goals of the program. To achieve this, a readiness assessment and checklists are used to determine if a site is ready to engage in the program. An…

Details the history of California's experience with large-scale writing assessment. Describes the introduction, development, and scoring of the California Assessment Program, later renamed the California Learning Assessment System (CLAS). Discusses controversies over removal of certain writing prompts and objections to CLAS. Notes that funding for…

This report contains the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Program and Cost Effectiveness to the California State Board of Education. The committee was established by the California legislature for the purpose of developing a methodology for evaluating the cost effectiveness of various Federal and State educational projects. The report…

This study presents a longitudinal and intertextual analysis of educational policymaking activity in California over a 10-year period to identify factors that supported local policy implementation in a shifting political climate. Analysis reveals the essential nature of coherence, capacity building, and changed practices in building an alternative…

The California State Department of Education and 33 California school districts contributed articles to this compendium focusing on the assessment of educational needs. It is noted that a crucial stage in the development of effective programs for pupils, as well as for requesting State and Federal funds, is the assessment of educational needs. A…

A comprehensive plan for program assessment by students in the San Mateo, California, community college district is described. Results compiled from the 29-item questionnaire identify the unique characteristics and problems of each college, and provide recommendations for improvement. The survey instrument is included. (BH)

California state law A.B. 2666 establishes standards for provision of preschool special education programs and services for eligible children, aged 3-5, and their families. This handbook was developed as a resource in planning and implementing appropriate service models, and is organized into four major sections: "General…

The Division of Program Evaluation and Research of the Los Angeles County Superintendent's Office provides program evaluation consultation services to all local educational agencies (grades K-14) in Los Angeles County. The three program evaluation services that are described are: (1) Educational Program Evaluation Planning Assistance, (2)…

Designed as the first in a proposed set of three documents to be used to review elementary school programs in California, this guide describes the quality criteria used to judge program effectiveness for students. Criteria for a quality school program are provided in 13 areas: reading; written language; school effectiveness; special needs; oral…

A study designed to assess health education in public schools in California, Nevada, and Utah is reported. Results are compared to those of the School Health Education Study (SHES) which was conducted twenty years ago. Information is provided on the needs, goals, programs, participants, and materials of school health education in large, small, and…