With the 1984 publication of "A Nation at Risk" the K-12 school reform movement was launched. The report predicted that, if the United States was to maintain its global economic leadership, a rigorous curriculum in primary and secondary schools would be necessary to prepare students for a productive college academic experience. Nearly 22…

An assessment of internal efficiency allows policymakers and education administrators to understand how cost-effective the desired educational outputs, such as promotion and retention rates of students, are being produced from a given input. In Macau, where private school enrollment accounts for more than 90% of the total K-12 student enrollment,…

This article presents the author's message during a graduation ceremony at the University of Pennsylvania. The author talks about the identity of education and stresses that education not only fosters conversation, but it is itself a form of conversation. The author challenges people to engage in conversation about education from multiple…

The road to a college degree is often littered with potholes of self-doubt, and sometimes those are deep enough to discourage even the most ambitious students. If the transition from high school to college were easy, the average six-year graduation rate at four-year institutions in the U.S. would probably be higher than 63%. To improve those…

Three years ago, as part of a broad effort to raise academic standards in college sports, the NCAA adopted a controversial rule designed to make life difficult for athletes idling in the classroom. The measure--known as the 40-60-80 rule, or the "progress toward degree" requirement--mandates that, to remain eligible to compete, athletes must…

In 1991, Michigan's Technical Planning Subgroup of the Resource Group on National Education Goal 2 (high school completion) recommended the development of a voluntary state/local student record system and compilation of a compendium of current state practices and current plans for state/local system development. Governor Carroll Campbell, Jr.…

Common practices regarding competency testing for handicapped students have ranged from inclusion and exclusion to selective inclusion based on handicapping condition. Factors involved in deciding about minimum competency testing include conceptualizing the categories of handicaps into two groups: students who require a modified learning…

Educators were asked to read a description of a minimum proficiency test required for high school graduation and select a cutoff score for it. The 24 descriptions used were formed as all possible combinations of a test content, a level of student performance, a penalty for failing the test, and a community response to the test. Of the 223…

The report summarizes information from a survey involving 54 state and territory directors of special education who responded to six questions regarding the following: mandated competency testing programs, individuals required to take the test, special procedures used in administering the test, awarding regular or special diplomas to handicapped…

Although prepared particularly for students who plan to transfer to Southern Illinois University, these curriculum guides may serve as a model for other 2-year colleges preparing similar material. The document includes evaluation procedures. Evaluation of the student's satisfaction of academic credit and major requirements is part of his…

This address points out that the graduates have reached a stage in their lives less for rejoicing than for close examination of themselves and of education as an institution. The students themselves have exposed certain shortcomings of higher education, and taxpayers have become reluctant to support it. Activists of all races have not yet…

Reports on a study of 702 Illinois secondary schools' policies and on how well those policies are described in student handbooks. The findings show that local schools have good intentions about informing students and parents, but they also suggest that many policies may be inadequately reported. Includes tables and references. (MD)

Describes a high school principal's efforts to establish strict dress and behavior codes for commencement participants, particularly graduates. Highlights the importance of an adequate budget, faculty preparation, guest and student speakers, personalized diplomas, music, seating, and other elements of a meaningful, decorous commencement ceremony.…

The Debra P. versus Turlington case marked the first major inquiry into content validity of a student competency testing program. The Florida federal district court determined material assessed on the test had been taught in Florida's classrooms. Schools may deny regular diplomas to students who fail the test. (DWH)

Every year, across the country, a dangerously high percentage of students disproportionately poor and minority-disappear from the educational pipeline before graduating from high school. According to a study released by The Civil Rights Project at Harvard University (CRP) and the Urban Institute in 2004, only about 68% of all students nationally…