This report presents findings from an investigation of the perceptions, hopes, and fears of educators as they work toward including students with disabilities in Minnesota's High Standards. The findings are from questionnaires and interviews that were conducted from January to March 1999, with 90 educators across all grade levels from ten schools…

The "diversity myth" is the myth that universities are doing a good job promoting diversity on campus. Universities in America have promoted this "diversity myth" which belies the actual state of affairs in the nation's schools. Instead, universities have fostered conformity on campus, and stifled true diversity. This document, sponsored by the…

This paper discusses regional accreditation, a common form of institutional quality assurance, noting its application to distance education. Six core academic values sustain regional accreditation: institutional autonomy; collegiality and shared governance; faculty intellectual and academic authority; the degree; general education; and site-based…

In 1999,the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) was administered to students in grades 4, 5, 8, and 10 to assess student achievement of the Sunshine State Standards in reading and mathematics as mandated by the Florida legislature. This report informs administrators, legislators, and the general public about the reading and mathematics…

In 1999, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) was administered to students in grades 4, 5, 8, and 10 to assess student achievement of the Sunshine State Standards in reading and mathematics as mandated by the Florida legislature. This report informs administrators, legislators, and the general public about the reading and mathematics…

This document contains Chapter 117 of the Texas Education Code, 28.002, and is related to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Fine Arts, originally adopted in September of 1997. The provisions and expectations for each area of the fine arts (art, music, dance, theater) and each grade level are provided. The document is divided into…

This study examined what teachers needed to learn to teach in new ways and how teachers developed those capacities. It also investigated the additional skills and orientations teachers needed to take on leadership roles and how teacher leaders acquired their ability to lead their colleagues. Data came from a 2-year study of 10 exemplary teacher…

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program was founded in 1955 to provide high school students an opportunity to take on the challenges of college-level work while still in high school. For 46 years, students have enrolled in AP courses, taken rigorous end-of-course AP Examinations to demonstrate their achievement, and frequently have received…

In their constant groping toward achievement standards, the high schools of this country have developed what is known as "cooperative testing." This development is not recent. Cooperative testing dates back further than the standardized testing movement itself. For instance, it has been customary for about 50 years in New York and in…

This study of conditions of the school system of the County of Currituck, with suggestions for its improvement, is made at the request of the county board of education. It Is inspired by the desire of the board to adopt a consistent policy as to buildings, organization, course of study, supervision, and instruction, which provides for present and…

Discusses the relationship between academic standards and society, providing evidence of a decline in these standards in American schools. Also discusses social implications of a lack of scientific literacy and proposes a strategy for change. Teacher certification and political action as change agents are considered. (JM)

A populace illiterate in science and technology results from attitudes and values nurtured by the public educational system. To change the attitudes of educators in the U.S. requires changing public attitudes toward learning standards, student responsibility for learning, and the importance of fundamental skills. (MLW)

A major change has occurred in both economic theory and its effects on government economic policy and higher education. The change is reflected in intellectual climate, extended government control, strategies to bring higher education in line with labor market needs, academic standards, graduate employment, faculty quality, research, and industry…

A response to articles by Alan Tom and Richard Wisniewski (November-December 1981 Journal of Teacher Education) is offered. Alternatives to the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards are considered. It is suggested that higher selection standards for teachers be coupled with financial incentives. (PP)

Negative hypotheses that universal education will lead to unqualified students, oversupply of graduates, unemployment of graduates, lower earnings for graduates, and declining personal and social benefits of investing in higher education are rebuffed. The case is made that social returns on investments in higher education continue to be high.…