An historical sketch of minimum competency testing programs and issues is presented. Among the state and local programs briefly described are: 1960, Denver Public Schools, CO; 1976, Richmond Public Schools, VA; 1977, Kern Union High School, CA; 1977, Berea High School, OH; 1977, Westside High School, NE; 1973, Oregon; 1975, California (High School…

Competency testing in New York State began in the nineteenth century, first with a local testing mandate and later with the "preliminary Regents examinations," which were administered at the end of the eighth grade. Optional competency tests were introduced in 1962, and in 1976 the Board of Regents mandated the passing of a series of…

The second of two task forces formed to consider the graduation requirements of Hawaii's public education system came to several conclusions and made several recommendations regarding improving the existing program. Among the task force's concerns were making sure graduation requirements were linked to the state department of education's…

Brief descriptions of course offerings in the social studies for grades 9-12, Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, Maryland, are presented. Courses are listed according to required or elective. Required courses are United States History I and II; National, State, and Local Government, and Contemporary Issues. In addition, over 45 courses…

This document describes the curriculum at all levels of public education, from early childhood education through adult education, in Alaska's Northwest Arctic School District. Graduation requirements are stated, and alternative courses of study for meeting those requirements are listed. All course offerings available in the district, and the…

The recently enacted California legislation commonly referred to as the Hart Bill (AB3408) requires that local district governing boards establish high school graduation requirements and standards of proficiency in basic skills. The educational system which places emphasis on the specification, learning, and demonstration of these proficiencies is…

The current study is a comparison of the characteristics of the candidates from the Grossmont Union High School District who took the March 1976 administration of the California High School Proficiency Examination, with special attention to the differences between those candidates who passed the examination and those who did not . Significant…

The Community Experimental Education Center (CEEC) serves 50 disadvantaged students, ages 16 to 20, unable to function well in traditional schools. Each student must complete 33 competencies in career, consumer, and life skills. This report discusses the program design, funding, and staffing and lists the 33 competencies. (SJL)

Describes Project 81, an experimental program involving Pennsylvania school districts, colleges, citizens and community groups, and state department of education personnel in a joint effort to identify educational objectives, to translate those objectives into graduation requirements and appropriate educational programs, and to develop policies to…

The goal of this policy analysis is to set fair standards for awarding units of credit to disabled high school students. Criteria used for selection include: (1) equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment; (2) education under the 1973 Vocational Rehabilition Act, Section 504; (3) feasibility; (4) flexibility; and (5) integrity of the high…

Out-of-date textbooks, inappropriate tests, and underprepared teachers have left mathematics in the classroom in disarray. The need for a permanent national capability to influence all agencies responsible for mathematics education is discussed. (MLW)

The purpose of this guide is to assist teachers and administrators in the implementation of relevant and rigorous collections of evidence for the Certificate of Advanced Mastery (CAM) Career-Related Learning Standards (CRLS) and Extended Application Standard (EA). This guide also provides necessary information to help schools meet the 2006-07…

Alternate assessment acts as a mechanism for inclusion in large-scale educational assessments for those students with disabilities who cannot participate in regular state and district assessments, even with accommodations and modifications. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Improvement Act…

The Social Studies assessment on the Graduation Exit Examination for the 21st Century (GEE) is designed to measure student mastery of Louisiana's social studies content standards. The GEE 21 assesses the mastery of U.S. history from the end of the reconstruction era through the 20th century. Emphasis in high school is on U.S. history from…

This study compared tenth grade scores on the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) assessment in the Lafayette School Corporation in mathematics and language arts. The sample was taken from a high school with a total enrollment of 1,990 students, 296 of whom were considered special needs students. Data were gathered for the…