Discusses the Maryland Test of Citizenship Skills and the controversy surrounding its adoption. Presents results of a study of teachers' attitudes toward the test and remediation efforts. Concludes that competency-based testing discourages higher level thinking but encourages recall. Suggests that performance on the test does not reflect students'…

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Response to Intervention: A New Approach to Reading Instruction Aims to Catch Struggling Readers Early (Nancy Walser); (2) Getting Advisory Right: Focus and…

Several issues facing the measurement community were brought on by the recent emphasis on stricter educational accountability measures. These testing issues include the limits of test scores, effects of testing on instruction, proper test use, importance of the test content, and defining the basics in education. (EGS)

Decries the back to basics movement and suggests that it is not the place of those with doctoral degrees to teach spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Proposes that the proper place for such instruction is in the primary grades. (RBW)

Examines the negative outcomes of the mandatory external primary school-leaving certificate examination administered to Irish sixth-graders, 1943-67. Concludes that the Irish experience should warn American educators of the possible dangers of using minimum competency tests as the sole or primary determinant of decisions concerning grade-to-grade…

A survey of parents in urban and rural school districts showed a strong belief in the importance of elementary school social studies and more support for innovations such as the curriculum guidelines of the National Council for the Social Studies than publicity about demands to return to basics would suggest. (IS)

The current debate about social studies education is the focus of this paper, and the questions and the charges raised by recent surveys and reports are addressed. Survey results from the Ravitch and Finn, the Chandler, and the National Catholic Educational Association studies reflecting student ignorance of social studies knowledge are discussed.…

Outlines current criticism of education and argues in favor of outdoor education as a creative and successful means to meet basic educational needs. Discusses specifically the role of outdoor education with regard to effective learning, developing basic concepts, developing essential learning skills, appreciation of the natural environment, and…

Given the social importance of math, science and technology knowledge, the importance of establishing competence in a subject area early, and the link between early experience and subsequent achievement, it is puzzling that math, science, and technology do not have greater prominence in the preschool curriculum. This paper reviews some of the…

A series of focus group studies conducted by the Public Agenda Foundation explored public reactions to educational standards in 1993. This study revealed broad and spontaneous support for the idea that higher expectations will produce higher achievement. The strong endorsement of higher standards was also a manifestation of the public's concern…

Many urban districts are sending thousands of poorly performing students to summer school to boost achievement. Boston, New York City, and other districts are finding summer school a costly, complicated intervention that does not always show immediate results or resolve social-promotion problems. Implementation strategies are outlined. (MLH)

This paper reviews the literature on the development of the junior high school and middle school concepts from the early 1900s to the post-World War II period. The nature of the middle school curriculum is also discussed. Meeting the needs of preadolescents appears to have been a major purpose in the establishment of the junior high school, though…

Countless reports have appeared during the past decade documenting the United States' failure to educate its citizens. These studies indicate that 27 million adult Americans have left school either unable to read and write, or unable to read sufficiently well to understand the most basic newspaper articles or official forms. These problems have…

This report presents the response of delegates to the 1983 Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) National Leadership Conference to the report of the National Commission on Excellence and Education, "A Nation at Risk." Their responses are provided to three issues: content (the Five New Basics), time, and citizen involvement. For…

Recent reports on educational reform tend to encourage a return to enforced uniformity in American public schools. If public education is to compete successfully with private education, however, increasing numbers of magnet schools should be established to provide diversity and genuine choice among public schools. (JBM)