Fulfilling a legislative mandate in 1984, Connecticut established mastery tests in mathematics and language arts (listening, reading, and writing skills) for grades 4, 6, and 8. Criterion-referenced tests were considered most appropriate for assessing achievement and determining individual remediation needs. The Grade 8 Mastery Test results for…

Information on current trends and issues in English instruction, compiled by the directors of six National Council of Teachers of English commissions, is presented in this report, the eighth annual report by the commissions. The commissions and their directors represented in the report are: (1) Commission on Reading (Patrick Shannon); (2)…

This Ohio Competency Analysis Profile (OCAP), derived from a modified Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) process, is a current comprehensive and verified employer competency program list for graphic communications--graphic arts. Each unit (with or without subunits) contains competencies and competency builders that identify the occupational,…

Both humanity and nature have suffered greatly from human insensitivity. Not only are the natural resources of the earth being depleted and its air, land and water polluted, the financial resources of humanity are being wasted on destructive expenditures. The "Our Only Earth" series is an integrated science, language arts, and social studies…

A study examined the policies and practices that higher educational institutions in the United Kingdom have adopted towards experiential learning as a means of fulfilling entrance requirements. Included among the major activities of the project were a comparative analysis of United Kingdom and United States policies and practices with respect to…

Accomplishments of the first 4 years (1979-1983) of the Illinois arts plan are discussed and activities to be implemented in its second 4-year plan (1984-1988) are listed. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the arts should be viewed as an integral part of the curriculum and every school system should assure that all students have…

In 1984, the Commissions on Composition, Curriculum, Language, Literature, Media, and Reading of the National Council of Teachers of English presented reports on important educational trends and issues. The Commission on Language suggested that the move toward curriculum reform stemming from national reports on quality in education could have…

A case study in program evaluation that demonstrates the effectiveness of qualitative research methods is presented. Over a 5-year period, the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities in Ohio offered a baccalaureate program (University Without Walls) to local employees of a national manufacturing firm. The institutional research office…

Learning factors that are improved by K-12 arts programs include perception, awareness, concentration, uniqueness of thought style, expression, inventiveness and problem solving, confidence and self worth, and motivation. The arts have been taught as an addition to the basic curriculum, not as part of the basic curriculum. This will continue…

The purpose of these seven handbooks (one for each grade from kindergarten through grade six) is to provide parents with information about their child's school and about the basic instructional requirements of the school. Most of the information in each handbook is identical to all the others and has been included to maintain the continuity of the…

GENESYS--GENeric Evaluation SYStem--is a method of streamlining data collection and evaluation through the use of computer technology. GENESYS has allowed the Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE) of the Austin (Texas) Independent School District to evaluate a multitude of contrasting programs with limited resources. By standardizing methods and…

With funding from a $5.7 million state grant, Jersey City State College (New Jersey) undertook a comprehensive plan to become the premier cooperative education school in the state by offering inner-city, nontraditional students a program integrating an applied learning experience in all academic disciplines and expanded professional placement. The…

In its fourth year, Project MASTER served 477 Spanish-speaking students in 5 elementary schools in the Bronx. The teaching strategy was holistic, integrating all aspects of the curriculum with English-language learning through science projects. The project developed curriculum materials, stressing attitudes toward and knowledge of science topics,…

The evaluation process and results of the 1989-1990 secondary school (grades 6 through 12) English language arts program of the Des Moines (Iowa) Independent Community School District are presented. This evaluation gathers, focuses, and communicates information that is useful for continuously monitoring the quality of the language arts program.…

This module is the eighth of 10 modules in the competency-based electronics series. Introductory materials include a listing of competencies addressed in the module and a cross-reference table of instructional materials. Seven instructional units cover: computer architecture; operating systems; computer programming; microprocessor instructions;…