Examines history of Title I--Better Schooling for Educationally Deprived Children--program since its inception in 1965. Notes difficulties encountered by Title I in developing accountability models. Relates history to testing companies' reactions to federal policy. Discusses the history of assessment programs, what types of tests are used, and the…

Notes that the methods used to set standards for National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) tests suggest recommendations for state-level policymakers. Explains the national assessment, basic assumptions in setting performance standards on NAEP, selection of judges, standard-setting methodology for NAEP, and measurement issues in setting…

Discusses the work of the Institute of the Russian Language of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which has two main responsibilities: to review and correct official documents, and to prepare new terms and words. Also, it maintains a radio program which answers the listeners' questions about the Russian language. (PJM)

Examines three causes for Japan's high literacy rate: (1) emphasis on literacy in Japanese society; (2) pervasive effect of the modern Japanese school system; (3) special structural features of the Japanese language which aid in functional use. (DR)

This paper describes trends in public elementary and secondary education in the United States. The data were obtained from the "Condition of Education" and the "Digest of Education Statistics," which are prepared annually by the National Center for Education Statistics. Information is presented on the following areas: enrollment, minority…

A 1986 national assessment of 7,812 high school juniors found them deeply ignorant of literature and history, with a lack of basic information as severe as their weakness in mathematics and science. The report by Diane Ravitch and Chester E. Finn finds that students score poorly because educators emphasize basic skills over content. (MSE)

Examines sources of national data on child abuse, the number of cases reported, and recent trends. The author addresses the issues of substantiation rates and the various categories of abuse, then provides brief examinations of the characteristics of the victims of abuse and of child fatalities related to maltreatment. (GLR)

While faculty salaries rose more overall, there are continuing signs of salary compression, with lower-ranking faculty getting larger raises than higher-ranking faculty, and faculty continue to lose purchasing power. (MSE)

The internal validity of the RMC models, especially Model A, is examined. Concern centers on limiting evaluation to cognitive outcomes, using constant percentile as the no-treatment expectation, and using norms for one test to establish the expected no-treatment performance level for another test. (MH)

The Admissions Testing Program (ATP) is a service of the College Board. The 1979 ATP summary reports on college-bound seniors were produced for each region of the United States, including New England, the Middle, Southern, Midwestern, Southwestern, Rocky Mountain, and Western States. The national and each regional report are in separate booklets.…

High-school student achievement on college entrance examinations remained the same in 1987 despite spending increases Secretary of Education Bennett reported, quoting from a Department of Education survey on teacher salaries, pupil-teacher ratios, education spending, the proportion of students taking the Advanced Placement examinations, and…

A national board to certify teachers is expected to be chartered by late this summer and begin issuing certificates within five years. The objective is to establish high standards for teacher competence with voluntary certification, not replacement of state licensing. The plan has received widespread support. (MSE)

Minority groups' scores on national standardized tests have risen while Whites' scores have dropped slightly. Large gaps between men and women persist. More students are taking the tests. (MSE)

This report presents background information and statistical data on the problem of infant mortality. Contents include (1) a discussion of the causes of infant mortality; (2) data on infant mortality and low birth weight; and (3) information on federal programs affecting maternal and child health. Data tables depict infant mortality in terms of…

Title I Evaluation models using uniform procedures and data collection for state and national comparisons are interpreted as federal endorsement of basic, common competencies in reading and mathematics. Basic competencies, content homogeneity, conversion methodology, and validity of the evaluation are discussed. (MH)