The relationships between two curriculum variables (graduation requirements and course offerings in various subject areas) on performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) were studied among students in 150 comprehensive high schools. Results indicated that neither graduation requirements nor the number of course offerings bore a statistically…

Comments on the emerging concept in education of teacher malpractice, and identifies ten ways that teachers can be assured of entertaining a lawsuit in situations involving academic injury to students. (NKA)

Explores corruption in college athletics programs, focusing on student exploitation and well-intentioned, but unsuccessful reform efforts of the National Collegiate Athletics Association, certain college presidents, and others. Discusses Proposition 48, a controversial device to screen entering athletes. Praises Georgetown University's responsive…

Suggests three priorities and four goals for education. Priorities: literacy, basic mathematics, and citizenship education. Goals: high school graduates will have four years of English and three years of math, science, and social studies; graduates will surpass SAT/ACT scores of 1965; dropout rate will decrease; and entry-level teachers' salaries…

This article reports recent research into aspects of the differences between Protestant and Catholic schools in Northern Ireland, namely, whether the two systems vary in terms of the balance of subjects in examination passes and the qualifications of leavers. Differences are presented and discussed. (CT)

Instructional validity of the Florida graduation test and the degree to which students were given proper preparation to pass it were studied. The Florida model illustrates procedures are available to demonstrate to the court that required skills are being taught to prepare students for success on competency tests. (DWH)

Alabama's public high school principals support the concept of minimum competency testing for students but are reluctant to allocate time and money to this effort at the expense of other curricular endeavors, according to a recent survey. (PGD)

Results of a study on the status of basic instruction show that physical education remains a viable part of the general education curriculum at the higher education level. Although diminished resources influence selection of course offerings, the curriculum is structured by the need and interests of the community. (DF)

The New Jersey law permitting a period of silence in schools was struck down by a federal court judge who held that the law was intended to circumvent the proscription against government entanglement in religion. The New York Supreme Court has upheld the competency test for obtaining high school diplomas. (MLF)

One district's policies placing greater demands on seniors in terms of graduation requirements, attendance, grading, final exams, time in school, and required courses are recommended as a solution to student boredom; tactics considered counterproductive are listed. (MJL)

The averaged freshman graduation rate provides an estimate of the percentage of high school students who graduate on time. The rate uses aggregate student enrollment data to estimate the size of an incoming freshman class and aggregate counts of the number of diplomas awarded 4 years later. The incoming freshman class size is estimated by summing…

This Fact Sheet provides statistical data on the high school dropout rates for 16- to 19-year-olds in the United States, with a particular emphasis on Latino students, both immigrant and native-born. Although the percentage of youth who have not finished high school and are not enrolled in school, known as the "status" dropout rate, has…

This report uses data primarily from the 2004 Graduation Rate Survey (GRS), a component of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), to provide a systemwide overview of how graduation rates of comparable 4-year institutions vary with institution selectivity and the size of the low-income population enrolled. The report clearly…

It has been found that students who took the traditional path to a bachelor degree--those who started and finished at the same institution--averaged 4.3 years to complete their degrees at State University System (SUS) institutions in 2002-03. 12.4% took 3.5 years or less, 54.2% took 4 years or less, 69.5% took 4.5 years or less, and 86.5% took 5…

This report responds to the California Postsecondary Education Commission's interest in pursuing further study of the gender gap for males in California postsecondary education. It provides some additional data on the gap in K-12 graduation rates and university eligibility and discusses the implications for future workforce needs. Recommended…