Alternative secondary schools were placed in separate groups based on patterns of organizational variables including goals, instructional features, size, sources of funding, and target school population. Distinct patterns of student perceptions of their school learning environment seem to be associated with identifiable patters of organizational…

The experiences of the External Diploma Program, a competency-based alternative credentialing program for adults, are described in this article. Factors to consider when implementing a program in a maximum security facility are explored. (Author/CT)

A survey to review practices for reporting student performance with nontraditional grading systems, to investigate the methods used to recognize outstanding student performance, and to survey the attitudes of medical school administrators concerning the recognition of excellence is described. (MLW)

Reports on the methods and findings of a study conducted to test the validity of the College Outcome Measures Project (COMP) objective test for use with nontraditional program graduates. Describes the COMP, which assesses skills related to functioning in social institutions; using science, technology, and the arts; communicating; solving problems;…

Allowing a fifth grader who caused problems in regular classrooms to exert control over some learning activities led to the student's involvement in the activities, his commitment to their completion, and the development of a situation that made learning to read desirable and acceptable to him. (PGD)

It is proposed that in a time of social and political conservatism, American higher education is moving from traditional to nontraditional procedures, from familiar patterns to newer ones, and is driven by external pressures as well as internal ones. (MSE)

Uses excerpts from student journals to describe effect on writing style and content of a two-day camping and challenge experience for college freshmen in remedial writing course. (LFL)

Human capital is seen as needing maintenance and renovation as much as any building or piece of equipment. Employer-sponsored education is an important part of that maintenance, and lifelong instruction is becoming essential in order to maintain occupational effectiveness and preserve society's investment in human capital. (MLW)

An emphasis on testing and external evaluation is likely to have a debilitating effect on both student motivation and the probability of continued interest; it should be substituted by capitilizing on pupils' natural physical and mental activity. (MB)

A five-year experience of the Experimental Programs Division at Kent State University with the use of volunteers in college teaching suggests that there may be intrinsic advantages to volunteerism in higher education. (Author/LBH)

A reflective teacher education model is outlined based on the theory that since all classroom programs of the future are alternatives to the programs of today, a teacher education program should be preparing all its teachers with skills to design alternative programs. (JD)

In a multi-cultural, pluralistic society, a single-valued, monolithic system of education does not always fulfill the educational needs of pupils; schools more responsive to the children and their community are necessary. (JD)

Adult educators, providing necessary lifelong, comprehensive education, face the major imperative of solving the problem of racism. Numerous other imperatives concerning program design and content must be fulfilled in effectively meeting adult learners' needs. Guidance from the principles expressed in a proposed adult educator's Hippocratic Oath…

Not only one educational style, i.e., Formal 3-R, is right for all students. Alternatives should be offered to ensure that different student needs are met by the school curriculum. A planning/working time line is outlined. (Author/RK)

Suggestions for implementing learning activity centers for basic business. (HD)