The legislative history and provisions, implementation, and intended use of 12 state-mandated programs are described. Florida's program was mandated in 1971. The other states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) initiated programs after 1975; most are in their…

This paper describes Oregon's experiences with state performance requirements. It explains that these requirements cover three areas: budgeting on a program basis, providing a schooling environment designed to meet student needs through a systematic management process, and setting learning performance standards for students, including graduation…

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Aptitude and Advanced Tests were evaluated as predictors of a dichotomous criterion of whether or not the candidate attained the doctorate within a specified length of time. More specifically, the project attempted to define subgroups for which the GRE tests have varying degrees of validity, and to provide…

This is the final report of the 1974-75 Student Advisory Committee's study of the senior year of high school. The committee's solutions to "senioritis" focus on three areas: the school, the school and the community, and the school and colleges. The school itself can take certain steps to improve the senior year such as providing…

Language teaching problems from elementary to graduate schools, identified by a series of questionnaires and centering around problems of program articulation, are described. The lack of bona fide FLES programs is noted. Problems of placing FLES students at the junior high school level with different training, the proper time to begin second…

The purpose of this document is to present to school personnel, parents, students, and other interested citizens the board rules and administrative procedures required to implement state legislative and local board pupil progression requirements. Sections of the document cover general procedures for promotions and assignments; promotion and…

The Hart Act, recently adopted by the state of California, mandates that school districts establish mechanisms of assessing minimal competencies in secondary education before students may receive a diploma. In this report, assemblyman Gary Hart, the bill's author, and Don McKinley, chief deputy to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, discuss…

Reviews effects on faculty, teaching assistants, curriculum, and students of the proficiency-based foreign language requirement instituted at the University of Pennsylvania. Although important and valuable changes have occurred in the language learning and teaching environment, caution is urged in creating realistic and well-understood standards…

Fifty successfully employed handicapped individuals were interviewed concerning their transition from school to work, strategies they used to aid transition, and barriers they encountered. Results illustrated the importance of knowledge of available services; high school education; mainstreaming; academic, job, and social skills preparation;…

A new program at Boston University that identifies students who would have great difficulty fulfilling their foreign language requirement is described. This program offers an alternative sequence of courses designed to help these students achieve foreign language learning success. (LMO)

A small rural high school initiated an 8-period day to offer students the increased number of credits required for graduation. Elective offerings, elective enrollments, and participation in extracurricular activities increased. Teachers and students liked shorter classes, grades improved, dropout rates declined, and teacher-pupil ratios dropped in…

Ontario's colleges are eager to partner with the Government of Ontario to expand college capacity by at least 10 percent and double the number of apprentices over the next five years. Assuming that Government will continue to fund enrolment growth, colleges are fully prepared to improve access to applied education and increase enrolment levels.…

According to the U.S. Department of Education (2003), in 2002-03, the number of students with disabilities between the ages of 6 and 21 who were served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was 5,946,202. About 80% of students with disabilities were educated in general education and resource room settings. In contrast, only…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Senate Committee Provides $3.2 Billion Increase for Education Programs: Final Budget Not Expected Until After…

This report addresses two sets of questions related to Ohio's high school to college transition. Chapter One: How many Ohioans go to college and where do they go?; Chapter Two: Are Ohio's recent high school graduates ready for college and do they succeed? Seven primary observations are contained in this report: (1) From fall 1996 to fall 2004, the…