The Measuring and Recording Student Achievement Scoping Group was established by Universities UK and the Standing Conference of Principals (SCOP), with the support of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in October 2003 to review the recommendations from the UK Government White Paper "The Future of Higher Education"…

In their constant groping toward achievement standards, the high schools of this country have developed what is known as "cooperative testing." This development is not recent. Cooperative testing dates back further than the standardized testing movement itself. For instance, it has been customary for about 50 years in New York and in…

Secondary education continues to grow and expand while the number of high-school graduates increases from year to year. The percentage of graduates who continue on to a higher institution is also on the rise. Thus, a list of those secondary schools that do a standard quantity and quality of work is imperative for those who wish to apply for…

Describes the "relatively successful" efforts of the Pennsylvania State Educational Association (PSEA) to curtail anticipated layoffs by pressing for a seniority law, enacted in November 1979, that effectively removed performance ratings as a factor in teacher layoffs. (JBM)

A checklist of criteria for determining a text's appropriateness is provided. Suggestions assume four needs: current methodology, guidance for nonnative teachers, students' special needs, and relevance to the sociocultural environment of instruction. Criteria cover general considerations, speech, grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and…

Reviews current state of the art pertaining to measurement and use of the construct of user satisfaction (user's self-reported degree of satisfaction with library services) and reports results of survey of 623 public library patrons measuring user satisfaction, evaluation of services, library use, and individual characteristics. Twenty-six sources…

It is essential that any institutional reorganization plan be based on a solid educational foundation developed in advance so that policy issues guiding program and faculty elimination selection can withstand legal challenge. Reduction methodologies must be decided from a policy rather than legal or emotional perspective. A planning structure is…

Efforts to improve the reliability or prediction in dental school admissions by combining several preprofessional academic averages and selected nongraded personal attributes into a single admission index score are outlined. Use of the index is also proposed for use in monitoring less-qualified students' progress. (Author/MSE)

Laboratory exercises from five chemistry curricula were examined to determine organization (integration of laboratory work with other parts of a course) and tasks required of students (assessed in terms of inquiry skills and behaviors required for the laboratory work). Implications and suggestions for instruction are included. (Author/JN)

Proceedings of the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers which relate to nontraditional programs, including programs for special categories of students, are summarized. Names and institutions of conference participants are included. (MSE)

Discusses the functions of the educational psychologist in improving classroom instruction, including assessment, dissemination of research findings, conducting applied research, evaluation, and systems analysis. Summarizes some important educational research findings and dimensions of systems analysis evaluation. (RC)

Presents Mina Shaughnessy's thoughts on why English professors dislike the teaching of writing, what is needed in writing research, the disadvantages of being a writing teacher at an open admissions school, what open admissions policies have revealed about education in general and basic writing instruction in particular, and writing evaluation…

Criticism of the use of standardized tests in postsecondary education centers on: using test scores as the sole or main criterion for admission; scoring practices used for normative or grading functions rather than for diagnosis; and tracking students into different types of postsecondary institutions. (MH)

Discusses transfer students, difficulties and expectations from four year colleges, and reasons why half of them never finish baccalaureate degrees. It is suggested that transfer programs emphasize clear information, speedy processing, separate orientation, and communication with two-year colleges. (JAC)

Reviews the variety of options in educational technology for continuing education, and discusses administrative and instructional issues related to the choice of educational media. (SK)