Perhaps the most dramatic hallmark of the so-called back-to-basics movement is the growth in many communities across the country of the basic alternative elementary school. Another example of the back-to-basics movement is the current interest in writing proficiency standards into the high school diploma. Another aspect of this movement is the…

The new crisis in freshman English is reflected in recent resolutions by the Modern Language Association and by individual colleges and universities to reinstate composition requirements. Too many composition programs, however, are a waste of money and time which traps the composition teacher into accountability for students' success or failure.…

DATA ON ENROLLMENT AND PERFORMANCE IN COURSES TAKEN ON A PASS-FAIL BASIS WERE ANALYZED TO ASSESS THE EFFORT OF CHANGES IN GRADE ACCOUNTING ON COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS. FINDINGS INDICATED THAT (1) ENROLLMENT IN PASS-FAIL COURSES FOR 1966-67 INCREASED 55.5 PERCENT OVER 1965-66, (2) A STUDENT'S GRADE INDEX WAS LIKELY TO INCREASE DIRECTLY WITH THE…

THE ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM OF THE LOS ANGELES CITY SCHOOLS, CONDUCTED IN 28 ADULT SCHOOLS, HAD AN ENROLLMENT OF 190,000 AND A TEACHING STAFF OF 2,200 DURING 1965-66. INSTRUCTION IS PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC DEMAND EXPRESSED BY ORGANIZATIONS AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES IN 10 AREAS--ACADEMIC, BUSINESS, CIVIC, ELEMENTARY AND CITIZENSHIP, FINE ARTS…

This paper contains descriptions of documents setting forth the minimum communications skills competencies required for high school graduation in seven states: Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Utah. It then describes the procedures used to compile a synthesized list from those documents for use in a project to assess…

These guidelines and sample materials have been developed in response to requests from teachers, curriculum planners, and administrators throughout the state for clarification and modification of Oregon Graduation Requirements, Administrative Guidelines (Section 1), which was published in September 1973. The purpose of these guidelines is to…

This document reports on a study undertaken to compare the academic achievement of athletes, identified as members of University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) intercollegiate teams, with that of male students not engaged in intercollegiate sports. Academic achievement was measured by the cumulative grade-point average (GPA) for spring quarter,…

This practicum reports on the conceptualization, development, testing, and implementation of the guidelines, procedures, and a model for alternative programs for earning graduation credit. New requirements for graduation were adopted by the Maryland State Department of Education in November, 1974, but the development of specific policies and…

This discussion of the mathematics portion of the examination includes topics covered, test development, and sample questions. (MP)

The author briefly surveys the movement towards minimum competencies for secondary-education graduates and points out the danger of confusing the term "minimum competency" with "minimum requirements." (MJB)

Describes the Florida Educational Accountability Act of 1976. The purpose of the act is to validate the high school diploma, thereby improving the quality of public education and eliminating the continued need for social promotion. (Author/MLF)

The author advises a cautious return to the basics through making sure that teachers in all disciplines emphasize basic skills. He cautions against curtailing variety in curriculum as a way of going back to basics. (DS)

Although competency-based graduation programs possess an intuitive appeal because of their clearly specified outcomes, external evaluation provision, and quality control mechanisms, they do pose a number of student evaluation problems which have rarely been encountered in American education. This discussion is concerned with such problems. (Author)

Before 1949, education was largely ignored in China, but recently it has been given a priority almost equal to modern industrialization. Teacher education reforms have been extensive and varied. These reforms are described, and further challenges are outlined. (MT)

Describes initiatives undertaken in Ohio vocational education in response to changes in state standards for high school graduation and college admission and the need for improvement in basic skills. (SK)