Four main approaches to customized testing are described, and their resulting scores' valid uses and interpretations are discussed. Customized testing can yield valid normative and curriculum-specific information, although cautious application is needed to avoid misleading inferences about student achievement. (SLD)

Higher Education's "accountability movement" is being accompanied by greater use of performance indicator systems in response to external mandates in the United States and Europe. These indicators are usually designed to examine institutional productivity relative to the public investment made in it, as contrasted with evaluation of…

The new mission-linked accreditation standards of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business represent a fundamental change in how business schools operate. Emphases on strategic planning, stakeholder participation, faculty teams, and continuous improvement will encourage institutional cultural change and help faculty respond with…

Traces the efforts in North Carolina to divide the fiscal burden of public education between the state and local governments while ensuring fairness, equity, and quality in education. Describes current issues of financial responsibility, fairness, and education reform. (108 references) (MLF)

Argues that cooperative learning is useful in elementary social studies instruction. Identifies positive interdependence, student interaction, individual accountability for mastering material, and appropriate interpersonal and small group skills as essential elements of cooperative learning. Suggests that cooperative learning can help teach social…

Corruption in college athletics requires immediate attention through monitoring and publication of student-athletes' academic records. Privacy can be protected three ways: modification of federal law concerning student records; implementing voluntary disclosure; and exposing exploitation of African-American student athletes by examining their…

Explores the principal's role in school reform. Attaching express legitimate power to the principal and ensuring that its effective and collaborative use is the most immediate route to reform. An autonomous, accountable, and achieving principal can function in a school reform setting like that of Chicago (Illinois). (SLD)

Analyzes the 1990s conservative reform agenda in Australia. Examines the relationship between education, the economy, and the state, particularly the marketplace analogy and the concept of quality schooling. Current policies emphasize a return to managerialism and a direct education-work connection. Discusses implications of the conservative…

A principal-agent framework is used to examine potential gains in educational performance and potential threats to public accountability that school-based decision-making proposals pose. Analysis underscores the need to tailor the design of decentralized decision making to the sources of poor educational performance and threats to school…

Drawing from the experiences of Rio Salado Community College (Arizona) in implementing Total Quality Management, discusses common barriers to change (e.g., time, aversion to change, and pitfalls of change); leadership failure as a cause of failure in TQM implementation; and the importance of constancy of purpose, employee empowerment, and…

It is argued that, although assessment of colleges and universities can promote discussion and encourage improvement of college instruction, accountability serves only to further chill the regulatory climate without specifying needs or solutions. As currently conceived, accountability cannot receive widespread faculty support because it usurps…

Describes Texas'"Enhancing the Quality and Retention of Minority Teachers and Teachers in Critical Shortage Areas Project" which uses peer coaching in teacher training, incorporating accountability, assistance, and professional development systems. Peer coaching helps support first year teachers by promoting their professional and…

Examines factors contributing to increasing acceptance of and dependence on state and local educational testing. Factors examined include the accountability movement, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, National Assessment of Educational Progress, growth in statewide and local assessment, and minimum competency testing. (SM)

Discusses British ideology, accountability, and teacher education improvement. Recent proposals for restructuring of teacher education do not acknowledge existing changes resulting from government initiatives and internal course reform following National Curriculum requirements. The paper recommends stressing course quality and content as…

An alternative approach to Chapter 1 accountability is proposed that would reward schools for reducing the number of students who fail to meet minimum standards on appropriate tests. Program improvement services would be increased and made available to all Chapter 1 schools. (SLD)