Consequences for institutional quality when playing the Prestige Game are examined. Six behaviors that characterize participation in the Prestige Game are identified: recruiting star faculty, tightening admissions standards, raising tuition, reforming curriculum, building partnerships with business, and institutional imaging. (MLW)

Discusses the Project 2061 benchmarks, statements of what all students should know or be able to do in science, mathematics, and technology by the end of grades 2, 5, 8, and 12. (MKR)

Examines the Type I Error in research on multimedia's impact on learning. Discusses the lack of a control group; the myth of multimedia benefits and the motivational effects of curiosity, content, and instructional strategies; the economics of multimedia; and dangers of the Type I Error, including inequity, lower scores or standards, wasted…

Examines the ethical conflict in community college nursing programs between the value placed on equal educational opportunity and the need for quality and high standards. Offers a defense of open admissions and open access and presents the case against open admissions. Suggests priorities for associate degree nursing programs. (37 references) (MAB)

Physical education is declining in North American secondary schools. It has difficulty fitting into educational reform's public schooling vision. The article examines key elements in designing new physical education and accessing knowledge from multiple experts to develop programs. It simulates the knowledge acquisition process and presents a…

Argues that teacher in-service education programs should adopt an explicit standard for programs, value effects of in-service programs on teachers' needs for professional experiences, appreciate differences arising among schools and teachers in efforts to change educational practices, take a longitudinal perspective, and expand evaluation into the…

Describes teacher certification in private schools, noting tension between private schools and state regulations. The article examines experiences with and reactions to state standards by Vermont and Michigan private schools. It discusses alternative teacher certification, alternative student assessment, and teacher professionalism as means of…

For years, College Board has been promoting and publicizing necessary pathways to postsecondary education. Even bolder step is EQUITY 2000--demanding program of prealgebra, algebra, and geometry designed to ensure minority students' success in vigorous high school mathematics programs. Pacesetter initiative aims to make high-standards curriculum,…

Outcome-based education (OBE) is a reform movement that puts equity in the forefront, ties excellence to outcomes, and recognizes giftedness only as it is expressed by achievement. Gains brought about by pull-out, mentoring, and compaction programs may be lost if needs of gifted students are not recognized under OBE. (JDD)

A roundtable at the 1994 annual meeting of the Association of American Colleges and Universities examined common roots in various current higher education reform movements. Discussion considered the relationship of equity and excellence, democracy and the open market, development of academic standards, science education, coherence of disparate…

A study investigated the relationship between undergraduate admissions selectivity at 40 research universities and academic rigor of course examination questions, as determined by the level of understanding required. Results suggest that more selective institutions do not provide more academically rigorous instruction than less selective ones.…

This article explores the relationship between the inclusion movement and the development of national standards for "all students," and outlines their implications for technology-assisted improvements in assessment of students with disabilities. Testing accommodations, such as input/output adaptations, can be facilitated with technology, and new…

Reflects on the need to find the correct balance between the roles of government, families, and schools in educational reform and improvement. Three administrative elements needed to assure successful improvement of school performance and educational quality are examined: legal status of the school; clarity of educational standards; and parental…

National testing will not improve teacher's genius, students' prospects in life, or learning opportunities in school's immediate surroundings. Too much emphasis will be placed on comparisons among districts, counties, and states. Money will be pumped into raising scores, not decreasing class size or giving teachers more time to work with children.…

Describes the efforts of the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations to develop voluntary national standards for education in art, dance, music, and theater. Highlights key issues such as cultural diversity, classroom technology, and interdisciplinary processes. Explains the consensus-building process and plans for classroom…