Discusses efforts by a number of states to comply with the standards and accountability requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. Focuses on the challenges and costs of creating new tests and presents the timeline through 2014 for compliance. (Contains 11 online resources.) (WFA)

Discusses the case of Krizek v. Board of Education of Cicero-Stickney Township High School (ND, IL, 1989). A federal district court determined that a school district could dismiss an untenured teacher for classroom conduct not prohibited in advance (showing students an R-rated movie) but deemed inappropriate later. (SM)

Discusses the controversy over school reform that calls for the decentralization of power. Explores school-centered decision making by discussing the following two perspectives: (1) child-centered/school restructuring; and (2) empowerment/accountability. Considers possible resolutions to their differences. (JS)

A "high-stakes" test can directly and powerfully influence how teachers teach and students learn. Six principles that describe the negative consequences of measurement-driven instruction are discussed, and the effect of these consequences on student and teacher behavior, as well as the test itself, is outlined. (IAH)

A random survey of 208 colleges and universities investigated perceived changes over 10 years in students' use of the academic grievance and due process mechanisms to resolve course evaluation disputes with faculty members. Findings showed increase in the number of academic grievances, suggesting that students are demanding more accountability in…

Reports on recent changes in examination policy and practice in China, England and Wales, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Japan, Sweden, the United States, and the Soviet Union. Identifies and discusses some significant trade-offs arising from the implementation of examination policy. Discusses four nearly universal dilemmas of…

The role of the teacher as researcher is related to key themes in the literature on action research. Current issues facing teachers involved in research into their own practice are highlighted. The pressure of accountability placed on teachers is discussed in the context of teacher research. (IAH)

A model of professional nursing governance in an 800-bed long-term care facility is described, and the model's implications for nursing education are discussed. The governance model includes a registered nurse organization determining all standards for practice, policies governing practice, and nursing clinical programing. (Author/MSE)

Describes a study that examined the impact of federated library systems on member library services, resources, and operations in Pennsylvania. The discussion includes a rationale for the research methodology used, and comments on the absence of reliable library statistics and published reports as a basis for comparison with pre-systems situations.…

Surveys the legal challenges to teacher certification based on objective competency tests; analyzes the theories of the challenges; and discusses implementation of these tests with particular reference to the declining number of eligible minority candidates. Describes "custom designed" certification programs used by a few states. (MLF)

An Educational Risk Management Plan (ERMP) should be incorporated throughout every school district. Discusses property and liability insurance classifications and features of a good ERMP. (12 references) (MLF)

Suggests that legislative involvement in community college operations stems from fiscal responsibility. Describes the structure of higher education in Florida and the development of the College Level Academic Skills Test. Discusses the adoption and results of the Gordon Rule, which establishes English and mathematics requirements for the first two…

A model of quality assessment for higher education that incorporates both accountability (representing extrinsic values) and peer-review/collegiality (reflecting intrinsic values) is outlined. It is presented in both a historical context and the context of experiences with quality assessment in North America and Western Europe. (Author/MSE)

Using the Defining Issues Test, examined whether athletic participation enhances or detracts from moral development when female and male athletes (n=37) were compared with nonathletes (n=21) at a western university. Males scored lower than females and athletes tended to score lower than nonathletes. (JBJ)

Maintains that academia has not escaped the litigious nature of the current U.S. social climate. Cites pivotal U.S. Supreme Court cases on academic judgment and reviews lower court cases where students challenged their assigned grades. Provides suggestions for lessening the likelihood of litigation. (CFR)