An application of a systems approach to the improvement of science education from kindergarten through grade 12 is described. The report assesses the need for science curriculum reform, takes into account the philosophies, learning theories, curriculum organization patterns, and teaching strategies being advocated by current leaders in science,…

A needs assessment is a procedure or process that identifies the perceived or expressed needs of a school district. The process involves the use of various measurements and activities to obtain the data needed to define the gap between "what is" and "what should be." This handbook reviews four such processes or models for…

As the element of government closest to direct taxpayer control, education is in deep crisis. Education must become more productive if only to maintain its present level of operation. Increasing productivity means getting the same results for less cost, getting better results for the same cost, or getting significantly better results for…

This study provides information about the development and implementation of MIS and PPB systems in State education agencies. Data from two questionnaires covered (1) systems planning and development, and (2) administration and organization. Most States have begun to implement information and PPB systems, but they are hindered by lack of both funds…

The five speeches contained in this document all address the general problem of productivity in education. Most of the speeches focus on the productivity issue at the state level, but individual speeches also deal with the question of the applicability of the private sector's methods of increasing productivity to the public sector, the research…

This report presents (1) details of a program for educational administration by objectives and (2) the results of such a program developed by the Virginia State Department of Education to upgrade the quality of education in the public schools of that State. Administration by objectives is a systematic approach to education planning using…

This revision of earlier reports reproduces copies of, or excerpts from, legislation that has been enacted through August 1973 in 27 States. The facets of accountability that the laws cover are State testing or assessment programs; evaluation of professional employees; performance contracting; planning, programming, and budgeting systems;…

The first part of this report highlights what is required in the legislative language of statutes enacted by various States by identifying their specific characteristics in a series of tables. Discussion of these characteristics and comparisons and comments on omissions and trends are presented in the text. The second part of the report consists…

This looseleaf publication updates an earlier report. Some of the pages contain new laws enacted since the first report was completed. The report provides tables showing the status of accountability legislation as of the fall of 1972 and texts of the actual bills or laws in a State-by-State format. The facets of accountability that the laws cover…

The Maryland State Department of Education participated with the Cooperative Accountability Project (CAP) in an exploratory study of the cost-pricing of educational accountability components. The exploratory study was undertaken to determine the state of the art in cost-pricing of accountability components at the State and local educational levels…