This paper discusses the rationale behind information-based approaches to school and systemic improvement and identifies some alternatives to the quality assurance model used in New South Wales (Australia). It outlines the structures established for identifying and reporting issues and trends on a systemic basis and discusses some of the…

This report analyzes contradictions in policies of equal educational opportunities, using Finland and Britain as examples. The analysis focuses on the relation of intended to actual policy and considers policies within the context of 1980s curriculum development. During that period, Finland gradually decentralized educational decision making, and…

Since 1986, the Hawaii Legislature has granted the University of Hawaii (UH) and the State Department of Education (DOE) greater administrative financial flexibility than is allowed other state agencies. In 1989, the state auditor was requested to evaluate the legislation's effects and educational assessment progress at the two educational…

This book provides guidelines for conducting internal audits of school districts. The first five chapters provide an overview of internal auditing and describe techniques that can be used to improve or implement internal audits in school districts. They offer information on the definition and benefits of internal auditing, the role of internal…

This report contains a synopsis of all public education waivers to improve student achievement granted to Texas school districts during the period from September 1, 1991 through August 31, 1992. The purpose of the waivers is to set aside a requirement or prohibition imposed by state law that inhibits student achievement. The state's educational…

This report sought to assess whether campuses of the State University of New York (SUNY) have established adequate controls for safeguarding cash collections at peripheral locations. An audit of 33 selected peripheral locations, such as libraries, intercollegiate athletics, telecommunications, and student advisement, was conducted between April…

Although recent research studies have questioned the efficacy of certification testing, Georgia's Department of Education, with help from National Evaluation Systems, developed the Georgia Certification Test in Administration and Certification (GCT). Since 1983, the test has been required for both certification and recertification. The present…

During five meetings conducted in different states by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) to gain insight into the status of 55 parent involvement programs from their organizers and implementors, parental involvement in the secondary education level repeatedly emerged as a shared concern. Following the meetings SEDL…

The move toward teacher empowerment in elementary schools with at-risk student populations is explored in this paper. Progress in addressing the needs of all students, especially those at risk, depends upon implementing teacher empowerment through participative decision-making. Methodology is based on experiences of the Accelerated Schools Program…

"America 2000," President Bush's national strategy for "Reinventing America's Schools" is evaluated by 30 invited experts in the following papers: "Bottom-up Reform From the Top Down" (John E. Chubb); "Would Choice + Competition Yield Quality Education?" (Richard F. Elmore); "The Federal Education Role…

The application of the "report card" principle to educational accountability is described in this report, which summarizes 20 report cards now issued in the 15 states of the Southern Regional Education Board area. Specific state or local school data are not included. The following areas are summarized: mandates for reporting; the kind of…

Issues that affect the use of performance indicators in managing educational quality are discussed in this paper. Recent changes in public-sector organizational management include the development of strategies for the management of change itself and the changing role of the public sector. A trend within the public sector is an increase in the…

This paper reviews the definition and historical development of the Carnegie classification for Comprehensive Universities and Colleges I and II by referring to specific examples in each category. It then identifies several significant characteristics of these institutions, noting their historic underpinnings as teachers colleges. The paper next…

In an effort to explain the Staff Accountability Plan for New Mexico's schools, two pamphlets were developed. Designed to address the issue of teacher accountability and certification, pamphlet 1 presents the three provisions of the New Mexico Staff Accountability Plan. The plan requires: (1) a written basic skills assessment as part of teacher…

Depicted in this article is an "Instructional Development Model for Adult Education". The key components of salesmanship are enumerated. Accountability for new programs in adult education can be fostered through increased planning and salesmanship. (PS)