The Virginia Beach (Virginia) Public School Division, which has a fairly large student population of 55,500 students, has enjoyed strong community support over the last 2 years for its newly instituted comprehensive curriculum assessment and development project. The project's goal of attaining educational improvement in all areas from kindergarten…

This paper describes a model for the evaluation and approval of a test battery for compliance with a midwestern state law mandating criterion-referenced testing of specific objectives. Standards specifying that the test scores must demonstrate content validity and criterion-related validity form the foundation of the model. The model also…

The report concludes that education of persons who are deaf in the United States is characterized by inappropriate priorities and inadequate resources. Among deficiencies identified are the failure to implement available preventive and early identification procedures, monitor educational programs, and use tools of advancing technology. Specific…

The unique needs of the educationally disadvantaged cannot be effectively addressed by educational reforms of a general nature. Approximately 30 percent of all elementary and secondary students in 1982 were economically, linguistically, and/or culturally disadvantaged. Their number and their degree of disadvantage has been increasing rapidly due…

The Maryland Longitudinal Study (MLS) participants are categorized into one of two categories (preferred or regular admits) based on their academic experiences while at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP). Preferred admits are students who earned both a high school grade point average (GPA) of "B" or higher and a combined…

If teaching is to develop fully as a profession, the public must be made aware of the historical foundation of the present literacy crisis and the necessity for better learning conditions for students. Literacy standards adopted by the public progressed from oral literacy (speaking fluently), through signature literacy (signing one's name),…

This document is designed to help school personnel analyze their current curriculum for grades 6, 7, and 8 in terms of the Mathematics Common Curriculum for Oregon. The common curriculum goals are organized into nine content strands: (1) number and numeration; (2) appropriate computational skills; (3) problem solving; (4) geometry and…

State efforts to improve the quality of undergraduate education were surveyed by the Education Commission of the States. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have initiatives to improve undergraduate education. The high school/college transition is perceived by state officials as an area with great potential for bringing about real change in…

Test specifications for the Texas Examination of Current Administrators and Teachers (TECAT) are presented in detail. These specifications are designed to help teachers prepare for the TECAT, and should also be made available to administrators and persons preparing review courses. This test focuses on reading and writing skills. In the test…

This comprehensive plan for library development in Vermont over a five year period is the result of extensive consultation with professionals in the field, the State Advisory Council on Libraries, and the U.S. Department of Education. Focusing on the role of the Vermont Department of Libraries as the implementor of the long range program of…

More than 80 law schools are discussed by students attending them. Emphasis is on whether to attend, choice of institution, admissions chances, and financing a legal education. Chapter 1, "Is Law School for You?" discusses jobs, money, status, the service aspect of law, the content of a law degree, examining options other than law school, and…

This paper explores the ideological changes which have influenced American education during the past 25 years. Gradual shifting of values and fluctuating attitudes are examined in the broad areas of authority, educational theory, the idea of merit, and moral perspectives. It is pointed out that public disastisfaction with the schools has been felt…

Point Loma Nazarene College's self-study report for reaffirmation of accreditation, which was submitted to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, is presented. A description about the history and demographics of the college is provided, along with information on: institutional integrity; institutional purposes; governance and…

Uses of assessment in postsecondary education and policy issues are considered. In higher education, assessment is used to refer to at least six separate but overlapping activities: (1) multiple measures to track students' intellectual and personal growth over an extended period of time; (2) state-mandated requirements for evaluating students…

A task force was created in Iowa to develop state standards for vocational education programs. From the task force, a standards committee with four objectives was created. These objectives were (1) to collect and study existing standards, (2) to ascertain changes and/or additions needed to assure quality programs for students of vocational…