Describes development of qualifying examinations in English and Welsh secondary schools. Evaluates forms and quality of testing in history. Presents suggestions by experts and changes made in England and Wales over 21-year period. Finds that most problems stemmed from desires to cover long periods of time while providing the depth of coverage…

Earlier metaphors of schools as factories and children as raw products have had powerful effects on opinions about schools. However, an analysis of education spending and test scores, international and domestic, shows that U.S. schools offer good value. Comparison of public schools in nonpoverty areas with private schools reveals little…