Statewide competency testing as a high school graduation requirement represents a threat to those who encourage broad notions of reading and writing, even when a number of testing innovations in reading and writing mean a step forward in education. In Alberta, Canada, the English exam comes in a non-academic and an academic version, and…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) evaluated the writing ability of American students in 1974, 1979, and 1984. Data from 95,000 students were examined for trends over this 10-year period. Writing tasks, including informative, persuasive, and literary or imaginative writing were administered to national samples of students aged…

As part of an ongoing dialogue among teachers in California high schools, this sourcebook addresses some of the issues involved in teaching English/Language Arts at the secondary level. The sourcebook is divided into eight chapters, and begins with an overview answering questions concerning the California Model Curriculum Standards (MCS) for…

Thirty-two papers on performance indicators are presented based on the conference themes of performance of the higher education system at the national level, institutional evaluation, and assessment of staff and students. Papers and authors include the following: "Higher Education Systems at National Level" (A. Thompson); "The CNAA…

The 41 selections in this volume represent examples of the use of different research techniques to document empirically the existence of sex bias in the schools and its effects on American women and girls. The articles focus on identifying, quantifying, and verifying the existence of discrimination against females in education, both students and…

This manual is intended to serve as a step-by-step guide to writing criterion-referenced tests. It includes directions on constructing and scoring various types of test items to measure each level of cognitive function. The manual gives a method for writing, analyzing and rewriting instructional objectives; preparing a content outline; matching…

The essays in this book emphasize trends now shaping society that the authors believe will have a profound effect on schools in the decades to come. Topics covered include declining enrollments and increasing educational costs, the changing role of vocational education, government financing for educational quality, the role of busing, politicking…

Consisting of an essay and a bibliography, this book provides a discussion of the origins and development of comparative higher education as a field of study, an interpretation of the key issues in higher education as they affect different countries, and a select list of significant contributions to the literature on the subject. The essay begins…

The booklet presents 18 articles reflecting varying views of multicultural education. Although the definitions of multicultural education differ, and although the viewpoints and backgrounds of the authors are diverse, the articles unanimously emphasize the awareness of cultural pluralism and respect for all people. Intended as a resource for…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 12 titles deal with the following topics: a transformational analysis of syntax in tenth-grade writing; the relationship between inner-city fifth graders' reading comprehension and writing achievement; the relationship of the…

The major premise of the three essays in this booklet is that moral education in the schools is and will become even more explicit and direct. Another premise is that only through education do people become moral; ethical behavior arises neither from psychological predetermination nor from instinct. New approaches to moral education are necessary…

Following a practical approach, this book focuses on educational assessment as it is practiced today, in the actual world of classrooms, school systems, state departments, and national organizations. It first covers the basic concepts applicable to all types of assessment: statistical concepts, reliability, validity, and interpretive frameworks.…

Fundamental changes that will affect American higher education during the next 20 years are discussed with specific reference to residential colleges. It is suggested that many traditional residential colleges will have difficulty meeting the challenges of a changing society and will be forced to close their doors. The development and adoption of…

A survey of 71 colleges showed relatively little change in recruitment, admissions, and placement policies or procedures despite commonly predicted declines in future enrollment. A similar questionnaire sent to ten regional executives tended to confirm this finding. The questionnaire responses showed wide variability in current practices. Few of…

The following papers are included: "Foreword" (Colin Kirkwood); "Introductory Essay: Popular Education and Social Movements in Scotland Today" (Ian Martin); "Popular Education and the Struggle for Democracy" (Jim Crowther); "Social Movements and the Politics of Educational Change" (Lindsay Paterson);…