Fulfilling a legislative mandate in 1984, Connecticut established mastery tests in mathematics and language arts (listening, reading, and writing skills) for grades 4, 6, and 8. Criterion-referenced tests were considered most appropriate for assessing achievement and determining individual remediation needs. The Grade 8 Mastery Test results for…

This document reports the findings of a process evaluation of the Saginaw, Michigan Early Childhood Education Preschool program for 4-year-olds at risk of academic failure. As of January, 1992, a total of 292 pupils were attending the program at 9 sites. The goal of the program is to enable 4-year-olds to develop school readiness skills. Program…

In the spring of 1989, over 2,000 pairs of fourth- and eighth-grade students were assessed on their ability to apply mathematical and scientific concepts. The tests (administered in alternate years during the written assessments of the Massachusetts Educational Assessment Program) required students to apply what they knew about mathematics and…

The principles set forth in these guidelines articulate a clear standard, endorsed by the Massjobs Council, of what constitutes effective service delivery and program management for literacy and basic skills. They are of use to local agencies in developing programs and to Regional Employment Boards in evaluating them. Section I sets forth the…

The committee that produced this report was asked to review existing New York State social studies syllabi and to make recommendations to the Commissioner of Education designed to increase students' understanding of U.S. culture and its history; the cultures, identities, and histories of the diverse groups that comprise U.S. society today; and the…

An Indiana project developed a model diagnostic basic skills testing program with statewide application for teachers certified under the Occupational Specialist Rules. Fifteen commercially produced tests were reviewed for adoption. The set of criteria that guided the selection process included technical aspects and application factors. The TABE…

State and local agencies must work to provide appropriately designed vocational education programs to vocational students in order to help them become self-sufficient in living and working. In view of the employment potential of disabled people and the legal and economic reasons for facilitating their access to employment-related programs, state…

Intended both to evaluate the California testing program's success in assessing student achievement in the basic skills and to suggest possible improvements in the program, this report includes an executive summary evaluating current testing procedures, describing experimental studies on new ways of testing and reporting testing information, and…

Developed in response to the many recent national reports on school excellence in order to further improve education in Michigan, this document emphasizes equity as well as excellence. Section 1 outlines four key principles for making specific recommendations for educational improvement: improving learning, creating a learning environment,…

A 1983 directory of resources for small and rural school districts lists resources for improving schools, national resources, foundations as funding sources, and state educational agency staff who can assist rural schools with information and technical assistance requests. The first section describes school improvement resources/projects by…

This 2-year status report focuses on the implementation in Maine of the recommendations of two reports--the report of the Commissioner's Task Force to Study Secondary Vocational Education in Maine and Commissioner Eve Bither's response to the report. New initiatives, now being implemented at many sites throughout the state, are designed to enhance…

This report looks at the history, purposes and goals, components, and implementation progress after two years of the California community colleges' matriculation plan. The first section discusses legislation which brought about the adoption of a matriculation plan. The second section details the purpose and goals of the matriculation plan, which…

This report surveys the vocational education system, work experience programs, and job training programs for youths in Chicago. The report is organized in five sections. It begins with a brief review of the socioeconomic context that affects youth employment in the city of Chicago. Section 2 examines vocational training in the Chicago public…

American school officials almost invariably compare local and national achievement through one of the following norm-referenced tests: (1) the California Achievement Test; (2) the Stanford Achievement Test; (3) the Metropolitan Achievement Test; (4) the Science Research Associates Test; (5) the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills; and (6) the Iowa…

This report outlines the long-range program of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) in South Carolina. The first of five chapters presents excerpts of the LSCA that describe its Titles I-VI programs; explains the evolution of South Carolina's long-range Program for Library Development; discusses the dissemination of publications…