Results of a study of students enrolling at Germanna Community College (GCC) between fall 1981 and fall 1986 to compare the persistence and graduation rates of transfer and occupational-technical students are presented in this document. The study was limited to full-time, first-time students with a declared major. Major findings of the study are…

This booklet provides information about high school in Virginia for students and their parents. Chapter 1, "Entering High School," offers descriptions of course options in all the subject areas of both academic and vocational education, along with advice on studying and on solving problems having to do with coursework. Chapter 3…

Public school districts that have new policies establishing minimal competency programs that consequently deny some handicapped students a standard diploma have been subjected to litigation. Legal decisions are discussed, addressing, first, the question of fair standards and, second, the fairness of the procedures for administering new graduation…

During the 1980s Florida has mandated several testing programs to improve the quality of the community college, state university, and teacher education entrants and graduates. Three measures were intended to improve the quality of community college/state university/teacher education students. The College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) program…

A survey was conducted by the Learning Assessment Retention Consortium of the California Community Colleges to determine the extent of community college involvement with academic standards in California. The survey investigated the relationship of the colleges to adult education, assessment practices, entrance standards for vocational and…

The booklet presents the two-part Grade 12 Diploma Examination for the Social Studies 30 program. Part 1 consists of 70 multiple-choice questions worth 70% of the total score. Each question has four choices and students must choose the one which best completes the statement or answers the question. Many questions are based on narratives,…

The standard measures of student performance in colleges and universities--grade point average (GPA), retention rates, and graduation rates--are examined for their usefulness in evaluating an institution's effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. Problems are noted with the GPA with all courses being treated the same and student load being…

Although quality education is a concern in every field of study, science, mathematics, and technology have a special importance in this country. They make up one of the cornerstones on which our success as a nation is built. To maintain our strength and independence, skills in these fields cannot degenerate. President Reagan has said that the…

The uses of computers by colleges and universities are described, and some definitions of computer literacy are proposed. In addition, an essay, "Computing and Higher Education: The Revolution Is Through the Gates," by Robert G. Gillespie briefly considers the efforts colleges are making to explore the potential of the personal computer.…

The Education General Studies curriculum at North Carolina State University is a useful alternative to the teacher education curricula. Because it separates decisions about graduation from certification recommendations, the education general studies curriculum provides the faculty with an honorable alternative to allowing marginal and weak…

Two national surveys on graduation requirements and transition services for students with handicaps are briefly described. The first study, "State Graduation Policies and Program Practices Related to High School Special Education Programs" by Joanne Records Bodner et al., surveyed state special education directors or their designees in 50 states…

The sixth annual "State Education Performance Chart" compares the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 39 variables arranged in 4 major groups. The groups are: student performance; resource inputs; state reforms; and population characteristics. Examples of the variables are: ACT scores; SAT scores; graduation rate; average…

The sixth annual "State Education Performance Chart, Supplement" compares the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 variables arranged in 2 groups: student performance and resource inputs. The variables are a subset of those used by the main chart. Comparisons are made between 1988 and 1987 data for most variables, or between…

This press release documents the remarks made by Lauro F. Cavazos (U.S. Secretary of Education) at a press conference publicizing the 1989 edition of the "State Education Performance Chart." This chart provides comparative data for the years 1982 and 1988. It is reported that in 1988, the performance of U.S. students was stagnant.…

This report summarizes the results of a study conducted to provide a complete and documented picture of public secondary education in Massachusetts. The study involved an analysis of questionnaire data and transcripts from about 3,000 graduates in the 1984 school year. Specifically, the study addressed the following questions: (1) How do student…