Former middle-school principal's graduation speech to fifth graders and their parents focuses on three areas: students and psychological and physiological changes they will experience; what to expect in middle school (teamwork and advisee-group activities); and secrets for success and happiness. Students and parents are advised to concentrate on…

Assessed longer term effects for a cohort of African-American college students (n=231) who were targeted clientele for an academic counseling service program specifically for African Americans. Results confirmed special counseling programs are important in ensuring progress and graduation of African-American students on predominantly White…

Examines issues of curricular and instructional validity, criticism of diploma-sanctioned tests, teaching the test, and the role of the courts in new solutions. Contends diploma tests may ensure that students are given the opportunity to learn those skills essential to becoming a productive member of society. (209 references) (MLF)

Describes how students at a California high school developed and wrote a bill, currently being carried in the state legislature by the students' state assemblywoman, which would make multicultural studies a graduation requirement. (SR)

A new approach for examining the quality of judgments from standard-setting judges using a Binomial Trials Model (BTM) is presented and illustrated with 26 judges from the Georgia High School Graduation Test. Results suggest that the BTM provides information not available from other methods. (SLD)

The Ninth Circuit Court's decision upholding the Madison School District's policy allowing students to speak (and pray) at graduation ceremonies is correct. So long as students are selected by religiously neutral criteria (class rank) and can speak on any topic, the Free Speech Clause should protect that student's expression. (MLH)

Survey responses from 55 Dutch agricultural vocational schools show that administrators believe that transition, the ability of students to change between training modes or qualification levels easily, has enhanced the flexibility of the qualification system developed under recent national reforms. (SLD)

The demand for higher graduation requirements for high school students presents a challenge for career and technical teacher educators as they equip preservice teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to meet new goals. Exemplary teacher education programs are focusing on meeting state standards and linking with industry. (Author/JOW)

Examines the status of Broward County (Florida) Public Schools high school students, who must satisfy the district's algebra requirement in order to graduate. Data indicate that the majority of district students are meeting the new, higher standards; 80% of seniors in school year 1998-99 had previously completed the algebra requirement. (MLH)

Ten years of participants in Ohio University's freshman "University Experience" course (an extended orientation course) were compared with comparable nonparticipants on academic performance, student retention, and student graduation. For most years, participants' GPAs, retention rates, and graduation rates were higher. (EV)

Describes the role of the Carnegie unit in enforcing standards regarding high school instruction and college admission. Reviews growing criticisms of the unit's standards regarding the emphases on time spent in courses, course labels instead of content, the current instructional organization of discrete 40-minute segments, and units earned instead…

Every month, when unemployment rate data are released, the news for African Americans is bleak. No matter what the overall unemployment rate is (5.6 percent in June), the Black unemployment rate is higher. Indeed, it is usually at least twice the White rate. In June 2004, for example, the White unemployment rate was 5 percent, but the Black…

This paper describes efforts by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the State Academic Senate for California Community Colleges to implement a state-mandated information literacy graduation requirement. Starting in 1996, there were comprehensive studies and state-wide hearings, leading up to an expected implementation…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "Raising the Grade": Alliance President's New Book on High School Reform is Now Available; (2) Spellings…

Changing state revenues have prompted heightened concern about the immediate short- and long-term future and stability of state investments in higher education. The 2007 Survey of the National Council of State Directors of Community Colleges (NCSDCC) is the third administration of questions to determine questions of access, funding and overall…