This article provides an historical perspective on current interest in alternative assessment in the United States and identifies critical qualities that good assessment should exemplify. The paper then reviews research results regarding the technical quality and consequences of using this new form of assessment for large-scale accountability…

The Campus Profile is an annual publication designed to help faculty, staff, and students understand Glendale Community College's (California) diverse operations and make informed decisions. The publication is organized around the statewide accountability model. This year's Campus Profile includes more accountability performance measures than in…

Education reform during the last 2 decades has been shaped by the forces of growing public distrust of educational bureaucracies in a climate of rapid political change and growing international competition in the context of a global economy. Major school reforms in four selected industrial countries that differ significantly in terms of…

This publication outlines tests that are included in the North Carolina Testing Program. The end-of-grade tests are curriculum based multiple-choice reading comprehension and mathematics tests that measure curricular competencies described in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. These tests are administered to all eligible students within…

The Educational Policy Reform Research Institute (EPRRI), with funding from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs, investigates the impact of educational accountability reforms on students with disabilities and on special education. EPRRI addresses the research needs of policymakers and other key stakeholders by…

Governors and state and local education officials assumed that raising student achievement in the elementary and middle grades would solve the problems with high schools--but it hasn't. Why? Good information is the basis for successful improvement, and high school reform lacks accurate information about what students are to learn and about how…

"Evaluation of Title I Accountability Systems and School Improvement Efforts: Findings from 2002-03" examines the implementation of Title I accountability systems and school improvement efforts at the state, district and school levels. Based on surveys of all states, a nationally representative sample of districts, and a sample of…

The creation of the Massachusetts Board of Regents by legislative act in 1980 marked a major departure from a loosely coordinated system of higher education that had been in place in the state since 1965. The new public system created a central governing board with strong budgetary and program authority. (MLW)

Provides a classification of the variety of ethical dilemmas social workers encounter in direct service to individuals and families, relationships among professional colleagues, and design and implementation of social welfare policy. Presents a series of guidelines for assessing cases in which standard social work values come into conflict.…

An examination of issues and problems associated with urban secondary school quality indicates that educational improvement and expansion of educational opportunities in these schools require the presence of knowledgeable, dedicated, and effective administrators and teachers; community support; and educational programs that are responsive to human…

Examines the community college's relationship to its public in terms of accountability, autonomy, and services through a consideration of recent state legislation in four categories: administration and governance, academic policy, student affairs, and future directions. (DMM)

Describes an evaluation model for the independent psychodiagnostic clinic and outlines an evaluation tool used at the Psychoeducational Teaching Laboratory in Syracuse, New York. Evaluation components include formative and summative product and process evaluations. Suggests program evaluation be part of contract negotiations and individually…

Explanations are sought for Western Australia's disillusionment during the Great Depression with the state's education system and subsequent policies to impose accountability and economy and foster a utilitarian emphasis in the curricula. Community attitudes in the 1930s resemble those during the recession of the 1970s. (MSE)

Recommendations are offered which barallel the three discussion sections of the article: professional practice issues, professional guild issues, and professional survival issues. Although presented in broad terms, these recommendations address either individuals, organizations or the field. (Author/GK)

The Nampa (Idaho) school board has strong written policies on administrative accountability; teacher recruitment, supervision, and evaluation; the district instructional model; and inservice training for administrators and teachers. (Author/MLF)