This report outlines the Louisiana State Board of Regents' goals for higher education in the state. After summarizing the history of higher education in Louisiana, demographic and economic trends, and the role of higher education in the state, the report discusses five specific goals: (1) improving access to higher education for all citizens…

Central Park East Secondary School (New York) is a school committed to authentic and learner-centered education. The school has developed an approach to assessing student performance that is active, authentic, and learner-centered. Students in the school's Senior Institute, a division comparable to the traditional grades 11 and 12, prepare 14…

This paper examines the problems of centralized academic-indicator systems in light of the move toward site-based management. Problems with current practice are examined in the framework of critical inquiry. Alternatives to current accountability guidelines are presented that harmonize positivism with critical inquiry, while respecting both local…

This collection of essays examines the status of higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on historical trends, the administration of universities, and the influence of higher education on the greater society. It reviews the evolution of universities in the area during the 20th century, highlighting the emergence of Latin…

The emphasis in recent British educational legislation (primarily the 1988 Education Act) has been on the creation of an "internal market" to stimulate improvements in educational outcomes and provide efficiency and accountability. The internal market mechanism allows schools to manage their own budgets and personnel and to create…

The movement toward school-based management (SBM) has promoted the need for self-imposed accountability. This book provides specific examples of strategies that schools have used to successfully implement SBM and to enhance their accountability functions. Chapter 1 provides the rationale for undertaking accountability measures, and the second…

This teacher's guide on leadership for U.S. Air Force lieutenants presents two lessons which are part of a larger "Need and Accountability for Leadership Development" program. The lessons include objectives and corresponding procedures with their associated issues and are intended to take about 30 to 50 minutes. The overall curriculum of…

The emphasis on using performance assessments to support systematic state-, district-, or school-wide purposes is a recent development in the assessment-reform movement. This document presents data from a 3-year case study that was designed to elucidate the status of assessment reform in United States education systems and offer recommendations…

The emphasis on using performance assessments to support systematic state-, district-, or school-wide purposes is a recent development in the assessment-reform movement. A 3-year case study sought to describe the status of assessment reform in United States education systems and offer recommendations for policy and future research. The research…

This document, prepared as background information for a conference arranged by the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, reviews studies on the use of the individualized education program (IEP) in the education of students with disabilities. The report begins by explaining the legislative origins of the IEP. The report then…

By the end of 1995, 19 states had passed charter-school legislation and at least 16 others had considered similar legislation. This document summarizes the issues surrounding charter schools and the implications of recent research about the charter-school movement's failure. The document defines charter schools and their organization, describes…

This paper synthesizes information derived from five sources regarding issues in testing as they related to the American 2000; an education strategy and the national education goals. The focus is on proposed national tests. The issue of national testing extends far beyond testing itself because it touches on the structure of the U.S. educational…

This paper presents findings of a case study that identified the new forms of accountability and control being constructed locally in the education service of England and Wales since the major legislative changes made in 1988. The changes include local school management, grant-maintained schooling, and competitive contract tendering. The 1988,…

A review of existing accountability processes and reports of the Florida State University System, the State Community College System, and public and independent postsecondary institutions was conducted in compliance with a 1994 Florida legislative mandate. The review centered on priority areas identified in the 1993 Master Plan for Florida…

Although the use of test results to demonstrate educational shortcomings is important, tests and assessments are also expected to be an instrument of reform. In fact, they are often expected to provide the primary means of creating educational reform. The minimum competency testing movement and the expansion of the use of test results for…