Content, instructional, and curricular validity, as related to certification tests, are examined. All three deal with content validity but the domain differs among the the three. Certification tests must have instructional validity, i.e., the test must be valid both with respect to the domain used to define the minimum competencies and the…

Directed at school officials, this paper describes selected civil cases filed against schools since 1976. Cases concerning handicapped students constitute most of such cases; those cited deal with discipline (S-1 v. Turlington) and appropriate residential placement (Hine v. Pitt County Board of Education) of a handicapped child. Discipline cases…

This report presents the findings of a survey of a nationally representative sample of school districts on high school academic requirements and achievement. A survey questionnaire was sent to 571 school districts and a 93 percent response rate was obtained. Information was gathered on the following topics: (1) time spent in school; (2) credits…

National statistics reported in recent studies of educational quality and information gathered by the Nevada Governor's Commission on Educational Excellence both show disturbing trends in educational performance, despite some positive indications. Among recent signs of improvement in Nevada are the recognition of some Nevada schools as outstanding…

The New York Regents Competency Testing Program has been designed to assure that all students develop adequate skills in reading comprehension, writing, and mathematics before graduation from high school. In this booklet, information is provided on two elements of the Regents Competency Testing Program: diploma standards and screening tests.…

This study analyzes qualitative data on student perceptions and curriculum transformation from a schoolwide culminating portfolio program of a small, urban, archdiocesan Catholic high school located on the West Coast. Over 4 years, all graduating students (n = 102) developed culminating portfolios, evidencing their accomplishment of specific…

The document is a brief collection of materials which provide a framework whereby local Kansas education units can individually and collectively identify ways to use the statewide effort to strengthen existing programs of service or develop new approaches at the local level for educating the mentally retarded. Part I introduces the process systems…

Intended to help state level administrators plan for minimal competency testing programs, the guide discusses conceptual, legal, and budgeting considerations involved in competency programs for different handicapped populations. Problems and remedies are cited from a longitudinal study of the implementation of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All…

To accomplish needed reform in education, this author recommends that a combination of purposes must be pursued; these involve the four major elements constituting an educational context, which are characterized as pattern, preparation, practice, and "compaction." Pattern is defined as all aspects of the structure and configuration of…

This monograph is a compilation of information gathered and studied by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in considering whether to recommend reciprocity in certification for out-of-state teachers. An examination was made of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the National Association of State…

In order to provide a longitudinal look at the characteristics of students earning the associate of arts degree (AA) at Los Angeles City College (LACC), selected statistics were gathered on LACC graduates over the 15-year period, 1964-1979, in terms of number of graduates, percentage of total enrollment, sex, those completing work in the spring…

A description is given of a five-year teacher education program that terminates with a Master of Arts degree and includes four undergraduate teaching laboratory experiences preparatory to the fifth, or professional, year. The program is competency based, and the emphasis is on a strong liberal arts undergraduate program, individually planned…

The Oregon State Board of Education has rejected the use of cut-off scores on a proficiency test to establish minimum performance standards for high school graduation. Instead, each school district is required to specify--by local board adoption--minimum competencies in reading, writing, listening, speaking, analyzing, and computing. These…

This document contains Modules 6 and 7 of a series designed to familiarize users with Oregon minimum standards for public schools. Both modules focus on graduation requirements and each module begins with a performance indicator that indicates the important information and competencies to be taught in the module. Both supply study guides to…

The variation in requirements for graduation found in California high schools is a serious problem for migrant students and greatly diminishes their chances for high school graduation. In order to present an analysis of this variation for use by all educators concerned with the problems of migrant education and to provide the Parlier High School…