A study of 21 flagship public universities and four entire state systems (in Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia), conducted by the authors, demonstrates that if this country is to regain its leadership in higher education, it must fix two interwoven problems: (1) the stagnant level of overall educational attainment, as measured by…

To assess high school principals' perceptions of the standards and assessment program in Nebraska, all 293 high school principals received a survey, and 261 were returned. Analysis of responses revealed eight consistent themes in principals' perceptions. These themes inform recommendations for practice and policy. (Contains 26 references.) (MLF)

Phase II of a three-phase study developed a statewide overview of compensatory education in Texas and examined instructional practices and other variables related to a broad definition of student success. Questionnaires (developed in Phase I) received from 3,235 campuses (a 55% return) collected descriptive information on compensatory programs and…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. This report describes: (1) "Characteristics of Algebra I Students"; (2) "Student Performance on the Core Test"; (3) "Combining Performance and Participation:…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. This report describes: (1) "Characteristics of Algebra II Students"; (2) "Student Performance on the Core Test"; (3) "Combining Performance and Participation:…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. This report describes: (1) "Geometry End-of-Course Test"; (2) "Scoring Geometry Proofs"; (3) "Characteristics of Geometry Students"; (4) "Student…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. This report describes: (1) "Characteristics of Biology Students"; (2) "Student Performance on the Core Test"; (3) "Anticipated Final Grades and Scores on the…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. This report describes: (1) "Characteristics of Chemistry Students"; (2) "Student Performance on the Core Test"; (3) "Combining Performance and Participation:…

This report examines the extent to which individuals with disabilities are involved in national and state data collection programs that play a pivotal role in reform efforts focusing on measurement of educational indicators. Thirty national data collection programs were identified and 9 of the 30 are reviewed. The extent to which students with…

Divided into four sections, this guide has been compiled to answer the most frequently asked questions about music education in Minnesota and to provide a consistent, uniform base of information for all schools and districts. The first section, "Curriculum and Evaluation," describes resources available to educators and administrators…

A large and growing body of research supports the critical relationship between early childhood experiences and successful life-long outcomes. Assessing the readiness of children as they enter school is a high priority. This report describes findings from Year Two of the assessment of school readiness with a larger random sample of children…

In response to a need expressed by Kentucky teachers for curriculum guides as a very important priority that should be addressed to improve instruction and learning as part of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), the study reported here was undertaken. The study investigated the extent to which the state documents and guidelines had been…

This guide presents eight steps to help states develop educational assessment programs that include students with disabilities and comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Introductory material identifies reasons that states have excluded students with disabilities from their assessment programs. Three key aspects to setting…