This investigation of the comparability of writing assessment prompts was conducted in two phases. In an exploratory Phase I, 47 writing prompts administered in the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language[TM] (TOEFL[R] CBT) from July through December 1998 were examined. Logistic regression procedures were used to estimate prompt…

This article is the product of the writer's deliberations about the impact of Poland's 1990 Bill on Schools of Higher Education using an information technology theoretical model consisting of three parts: (1) participation; (2) feedback; and (3) partnership. The main findings of the investigation revealed that: (1) there is wide participation in…

The purpose of this study was to identify the initial terms and means of creating and assessing the quality of what the author calls "fear education" (analogous to sex education or health education). Using a review of a random sample of discourses from the educational literature, the author analyzes how "fear" and…

This paper analyzes research on accreditation, licensure, and certification standards that have impacted teacher education programs, providing a historical perspective of how and why standards came about in teacher education and examining each of the standards bodies in teacher education: the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education…

In 1997, the Congressional subcommittee responsible for oversight of schools in the District of Columbia asked for information regarding school roof repairs in the District. The subsequent report to that committee is presented. It focuses on the availability of funds to repair roofs, and it offers plans for roof repair in 1998. Although sufficient…

Indicators are used in quite different ways in vocational education and training, from control and accountability to performance and quality purposes. A classification model has been proposed in which many indicators can fit. It is based on two important dimensions of indicators: (1) the "message" relating to the information content,…

The Task Force on Quality Control of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) was created to study the quality control procedures used for NCES publications and to determine if there are ways to improve the current procedures. Because a detailed review of the entire survey process would have been too time consuming, the Task Force…

Since 1971, the Commission on Occupational Education Institutions (COEI) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has been responsible for developing, field testing, and refining policies and procedures for accrediting postsecondary technical or occupational education institutions. At present, the COEI's accreditation procedure is a…

As part of its cost containment efforts, the U.S. Navy continues to evaluate its child development program to expand availability without compromising the high quality standards required by the 1989 Military Child Care Act. This manual provides guidelines for conducting Functionality Assessments (FA) and delineates the standards and requirements…

This learning module/handbook explains the rationale behind school-based budgeting (SBB)--the transfer of authority and responsibility for allocating a portion of school operating funds from the central school district to individual schools--and suggests practical implementation strategies. According to part I, SBB comes in many forms. Each school…

This document presents the annual report of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, for 1998-1999, and contains the following: (1) Message from Commission Chair Leon Baradat; (2) Message from Executive Director David B. Wolf; (3) Commission Actions: Member Institutions, which…

This report provides an overview of the Department of Education's (ED) progress toward four main goals: (1) help all children reach challenging academic standards so they are prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment; (2) build a solid foundation for learning for all children; (3) ensure access to…

The seven papers in this monograph focus on defining and assessing quality. The paper are: (1) "Reflections on Design Ideals" (E. Grady Bogue), which addresses some "governing ideals" of collegiate quality; (2) "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Investment and Quality in Higher Education" (Sven Groennings), which sees…

This paper summarizes the initial evaluation results of a pilot project conducted to implement program benchmarks for Nova Southeastern University's Undergraduate Teacher Education Program in Elementary Education. The program benchmarks are a response to the national movement toward standards to ensure teacher effectiveness. They serve as…