Once a year every student in Hazelwood (Missouri) high schools is required to write a composition. This Total School Writing Assessment is a major step in an effort to emphasize writing skills and to make writing competence a requirement for graduation. (SK)

Reviewing the current justifications for minimum competency testing (MCT) programs, the author finds them inadequate. He asks whether reading, writing, and computation skills can be proven necessary for a successful life and whether MCT programs can be demonstrated to be the best means of promoting students' living skills. (SJL)

The authors examine some reasons why secondary schools ignore or, at best, provide "band-aid" solutions to the adolescent reading problems that so upset the public. They conclude that secondary schools simply do not value reading achievement enough to expend on it the effort they willingly expend on physical education. (SJL)

The author examines concerns about whether or not, and by what criteria, handicapped students should be included in or excluded from comprehensive competency testing programs, as well as the implications of minimum competency testing for the handicapped. Pertinent legislation from several states is discussed. (Author/SJL)

Examined whether neighborhoods influenced the likelihood of high school graduation for a cohort of African-American children who were followed from 1966 to 1993. Found that living in a poverty census tract did not seem to influence the likelihood of high school graduation or school leaving over and above the impact of family and individual…

Data from Berea College, which has a full-tuition subsidy and large room/board subsidies, were used to examine low college graduation rate of low-income students. The high attrition rate despite subsidies suggests that the cause is unrelated to costs and may be due to poor precollege educational opportunities or noncost-related difficulties in…

Discusses policy implications of cyber (online) charter schools, including cost and control, standards and records, participation in special programs, and graduation requirements. (PKP)

Maintains that graduation exercises are developmentally inappropriate for young children. Discusses developmentally appropriate alternative end-of-the-year activities. (BB)

Ways to accommodate vocational electives in light of increased graduation requirements include eliminating early dismissal, offering earlier and later courses, offering required courses twice a day, minimizing schedule conflicts, allowing independent study, encouraging vocational/academic department cooperation, spreading graduation requirements…

A five step process for the marketing of a teacher education program includes: (1) developing a college mission statement and planning document; (2) upgrading of admissions and graduation standards; (3) implementing necessary curricular reforms; (4) creating credibility within and outside the university; and (5) marketing of programs to the…

Examines the reasons why a larger proportion of students are not involved in any organized music activities, stating that most schools offer only performance courses. Discusses the addition of fine arts requirements for high school graduation, and urges music educators to develop methods for including all students in their music education…

A high school teacher reflects upon the graduation of her gifted seniors and ponders their future as she reorganizes student record files. (JDD)

Discussed is the need for professors to be able to obtain updated reliable data regarding the professional requirements of their graduating students. The development and design of a theory that will establish a definitional system for skills and knowledge required for graduation is described. (KR)

Lead news stories on intercollegiate athletics in newspapers and on television are increasingly common. If the media are to report accurately on college sports, campus leaders must be willing and prepared to share information on the related educational and fiscal issues, including graduation rates, admissions information, and program financial…

Criticizes the emphasis of sports over academics at all levels of schooling, and the short length of the U.S. school year compared to that of other countries. Advocates minimum academic standards as a prerequisite for athletic participation, and students' choice of a college based on graduation rates rather than athletic achievement. (BC)