The revised Oregon high school graduation requirements, adopted in 1972, are an attempt to respond to attacks on the schools and to clarify the purposes of schooling. The uniqueness of the Oregon approach lies in the mechanism for bringing about change in the schools--a radically revised set of requirements for high school graduation. The focus of…

Increases in competency testing as a basis for student promotion and graduation are described. Examines the complexities and implementation of minimal competency testing and argues for consideration of unresolved issues: (1) definition of "minimal competency," (2) determination of appropriate measures, and (3) use of minimal competency concept in…

Finds that text material in final (end-of-school) French oral examinations in Germany do not correspond with the accomplishment to be expected of the students, in both appropriateness and degree of difficulty. Offers criteria, sample texts, and suggestions regarding reasonable requirements. (IFS/WGA)

The items of the Florida minimal competency test have never been validated as measures of "survival skills," and the pass/fail standards were set mindlessly and capriciously. (Author/IRT)

Explores such myths as competency-based graduation requirements are a repudiation of humanistic concerns, the public won't accept subjective measures of competence, and requiring students to pass proficiency tests before graduation will increase public support for education. Offers suggestions for developing new kinds of graduation requirements.…

State standards for minimum competencies deal mainly with reading, writing, and mathematics. Testing is primarily a state function. Many programs include identification of students who need remedial assistance. (Author/AV)

A high school district employed multiple matrix sampling to establish cutting scores on reading and mathematics competency tests. Entry-level job holders in the working community were tested with subtests of the intact test. Generalizations were made from the results; performances of the high school and the community groups were compared.…

Hitherto, the People's University Certificate examinations were largely vocabulary and structure lists; the skills were weighted very differently. The new examinations define "behavioral objectives" much more exactly. Content guidelines are given, as well as text types, topics and "situations." A later article will discuss…

Presents the transcripts and summaries of presentations given by four secondary school physics educators. Staffing problems, the implications of junior high school science on senior high school physics, and expectations of secondary school physics courses and their instructors are among topics discussed. (CP)

The important thing is that the student early and continuously recognizes school as an institution ready to help, one that will help him, frequently, assess his own progress and deficiencies, indicate what these mean in terms of the future, and provide instruction for getting on. (Author)

A survey of teachers, students, administrators, and parents in Georgia shows a wide diversity of opinion regarding the levels of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and arithmetic skills that should be required for high school graduation. (Author/IRT)

A third-grade teacher looks at criticism of the elementary curriculum and teacher education from the perspective of an educator working to motivate and inspire individual children in the classroom. (MSE)

College athletics programs have more than an image problem. One of the best ways to stop the scandals is for presidents to take control of their institutions' programs,particularly in the areas of academic standards, financial aid, the quality of the federation, and the amount of emphasis given to athletics. (MSE)

Describes Postsecondary Counselor Program for increasing college success of rural Native American students in Alaska's Yukon-Koyukuk School District. Discusses program staffing and organization, program activities, graduate success after high school, and implementation steps (needs assessment, school board involvement, and counselor selection and…

Describes the University of Arizona's plan of action for defining and testing second language proficiency at the fourth semester level (a college requirement). Tasks include (1) reviewing proficiency literature; (2) redefining the second language requirement by using the ACTFL proficiency guidelines; (3) developing testing techniques; and (4)…