General Education (GE) is a distinctive feature of U.S. higher education. Regional accreditation standards emphasize the inclusion of a GE component in degree programs, the identification of learning outcomes, and the assessment of those outcomes. Although GE reform is occurring on many campuses, the role of student choice of GE courses has…

Mathematics and science course graduation requirement (CGR) increases in the 1980s and 1990s might have had both intended and unintended consequences. Using logistic regression with Census and American Community Survey (ACS) data (n = 2,892,444), we modeled CGR exposure on (a) high school dropout, (b) beginning college, and (c) obtaining any…

For several decades, policymakers have embraced the goal of preparing students for college and careers, particularly for careers in the area of mathematics and science. The recent emphasis on these STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects is due to the growth of STEM occupations and the perceived shortage of qualified…

This report complies with the requirements established in T.C.A. (Tennessee Code Annotated) Section 49-1-302(a)(10). The act directs the State Board of Education and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to provide a report to the Governor and General Assembly, all public schools, and institutions of higher learning and their respective…

University administrators and accreditation bodies must reexamine the notion that everyone who graduates must complete the same requirements. There is now a different student body, and changes in the delivery of general courses must be considered. (JOW)

Examines special issues surrounding foreign language (FL) requirements for students classified as learning disabled (LD). Focuses on why students experience FL learning problems, the problems with the definition of and diagnosis of LD, whether research supports traditional assumptions about LD and FL learning, whether students classified as LD…

A disparity in high school coursework currently exists between college preparation requirements and state board/school district graduation requirements in Minnesota. Because graduation requirements are general, the extensiveness and quality of curriculum requirements can vary greatly by school district and building. This information brief compares…

This document is an important companion to the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) report "Getting Serious About High School Graduation." Together, they make powerful statements to policymakers and education leaders about the problems in high schools and what can be done to fix them. Teachers, policymakers, and parents have long agreed that…

Reports a study gauging the average oral proficiency as measured by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) of college students (n=20) studying German at the end of their fourth semester. Discussion centers on reasonable expectations for high school graduation and for college language…

Reports on admission requirements and program structures of 102 master's programs in journalism and mass communication. Suggests that master's programs are diverse. (SR)

Summarizes information on learning disabilities and foreign language learning and details the University of Pennsylvania's policy on exempting learning disabled students from foreign language requirements. The policy for exemption involves the review of students' case histories, evidence of effort made, and satisfactory performance in other…

Documenting the decline in foreign language literacy among Americans and the decrease in foreign language requirements in high schools and colleges, the author stresses the intrinsic value of learning languages. He makes recommendations for improving foreign language study and attitudes toward it. (SK)

This paper reports on a study conducted to assess number of credits completed nationally for a degree in Teaching English as a Second Language, what portion were required courses, and what courses were actually required. Data were gathered by a survey mailed to 159 institutions in November 1994; 94 responses were usable that covered 39 U.S.…

The goal of this policy analysis is to set fair standards for awarding units of credit to disabled high school students. Criteria used for selection include: (1) equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment; (2) education under the 1973 Vocational Rehabilition Act, Section 504; (3) feasibility; (4) flexibility; and (5) integrity of the high…

The New Center for Learning (NCL) at East Texas State University (ETSU), now in its 13th year, offers an alternative way for students to satisfy most of the general education requirements at ETSU via an integrated interdisciplinary curriculum. For faculty, it offers a vehicle for expanding their knowledge, improving teaching techniques,…