This booklet provides samples of student writing that exemplify the standards that governed the scoring of student essays on the June 1988 English 33 Diploma Examination. Both major and minor writing assignments for seven students are provided, with examples of the full range of student writing. The English 33, Part A, Written Response requires…

The Maryland Longitudinal Study (MLS) participants and non-participants are compared on several pre-enrollment and University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) academic/enrollment history variables. The purpose is to assess how confidently generalizations can be made to the larger student body from the student studies as part of MLS. Two basic…

The Texas Assessment of Minimum Skills (TEAMS) is a mandated criterion-referenced test administered to students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 in Texas public schools. This report by the Austin Independent School District (AISD) contains an executive summary of TEAMS results, an analysis of performance, and attachments. Among the major findings…

A study examined state-level policies and practices regarding competency testing of vocational education teachers. Data on the use of competency tests in determining which candidates are admitted to and graduated from vocational teacher education programs were collected from a mail survey of 740 beginning vocational teachers, and data regarding…

This paper identifies examples of indicators that minimum generic standards of the Washington State Board of Education have been met in teacher training programs. The first section, which deals with all educational roles at the initial level, sets forth standards and indicators that the candidate must: (1) have knowledge of socio-cultural-economic…

Teaching and learning of the humanities at the baccalaureate level were assessed by a blue-ribbon study group of 31 nationally prominent authorities on higher education convened by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Some attention was also given in the context of the humanities to how secondary and graduate education have affected…

Thorough planning is required before implementing an examination for a high school diploma. It was decided in 1977 that Alabama educators would establish minimum competencies for grades 3, 6, and 9. The competencies for grade 9 then became the skills to be assessed on the Alabama High School Graduation Examination (AHSGE), first given to eleventh…

An evaluation report on foreign language activities in the 39 state-supported institutions in Virginia is presented. After an overview of the state of the foreign language discipline, extensive information is provided for the state's two- and four-year institutions on foreign language offerings, enrollments, degrees, class size, state aid,…

At Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, Minnesota, individualized undergraduate programs are designed by the students. Educational objectives are stated in terms of competencies achieved through life and work experiences, or during enrollment at the university. Two issues were central to this study: (1) the criteria to be used in judging the…

This evaluation of the quarter system in Austin, Texas, public schools was designed to assess the impact of changes of calendar, curriculum, and other aspects of high school education. The initial first-year evaluation was intended to gather data that could serve as a baseline for examining the long-term effects of these changes. Data were…

In order to compose equivalent certification tests in the basic skills in reading, mathematics calculations and applications, and writing for high school graduation requirements, the San Jose Unified School District, California, used the Rasch computer program to arrive at the scaled difficulty level of test items. The procedure for achieving a…

TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW INFORMATION, THE WORKING COMMITTEES OF THE 1967 NORTHEAST CONFERENCE ON THE TEACHING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES PUBLISHED UPDATED REPORTS ON READING INSTRUCTION, LITERATURE IN THE LANGUAGE CURRICULUM, AND TRENDS IN REQUIREMENTS AND PLACEMENT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY, DISCUSS, AND PARTIALLY SOLVE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS INHERENT…

Factors influencing the performance of handicapped students on the North Carolina Minimum Competency Test (Fall, 1978 administration) were analyzed. Educably mentally handicapped (EMH) and learning disabled (LD) students represented 83% of the 3,043 handicapped students who took the Fall, 1978 test. A questionnaire was designed to collect the…

Oregon's new graduation requirements represent a bold effort to implement a mandated statewide competency-based program at the K-12 public school level. All the various ramifications of instituting a change of this magnitude cannot be predicted at this early date, but one major effect already evident is that local school districts have begun to…

"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) Must be in the Front Row!: High Schools, Graduation Rates Receive New Attention from Policy Community and World of…