By 1985, nearly half of the nation's public school students will be required to pass a minimum competency test (MCT) for high school graduation. Supporters of objectives underlying the MCTs suggest that the tests will force school systems to take their responsibilities to all children more seriously. Critics argue that students who fail will…

The Knoxville City Schools (KCS) Proficiency Project ran from fall 1984 to spring 1987 in three Knoxville, Tennessee, middle schools and three high schools. Students in three of the eight KCS high schools were scoring consistently lower than pupils in the other schools on the grade 9 State Proficiency Test, especially in math (M) and language arts…

In 1985-86, after five years of implementation, the New York City (New York) Public Schools transferred responsibility for the Promotional Policy Program to the community school district. This report provides information about the success of the remedial reading program under this new organization in terms of student outcomes. Promotional…

A study was conducted to consider alternative approaches and make specific recommendations for funding Programs on Pupils with Special Educational Needs (PSEN) in New York State. First, the study reviewed various methods for estimating district need including tests and socioeconomic indicators. Second, the effect of the Board of Regents 1979…

As part of Louisiana's minimum competency program, the Basic Skills Test (BST) was administered in grades 2 through 5. Student promotion rates in these grades between 1980 and 1985 were examined. Results showed that, in all four grades, the percentage of students retained to repeat the grade increased slightly. The BST was the main, but not the…

After studying the testing and remedial programs used in Florida's public schools, the Task Force on Educational Assessment Programs presented its findings and recommendations. Findings are reported regarding: the schedule for implementing the testing program (which requires that students pass the Functional Literacy Test before they may graduate…

California's 1980 proficiency law, which is the topic of this report, mandated that each school district was to adopt or construct tests and establish standards for assessing proficiency in reading, writing, and computation on tasks that were necessary to success in school and in life. In order to graduate from high school, a student must have…

The longitudinal effects of Louisiana's Compensatory/Remedial Program upon student performance were assessed using data from four administrations of the Basic Skills Test (BST) between 1982 and 1985. Language arts and mathematics tests were administered in grades 2 through 5. Scores increased slightly between 1982 and 1984, and declined in 1985;…

This document compiles compensatory education program data submitted to the Georgia State Department by local school systems in their 1982-83 annual reports. The first section describes state administration of grant funds (i.e., appropriations bills, procedures for allocating funds, program plans, and program monitoring). Specifically mentioned…