A comparison is drawn between norm-referenced (or competitive) and criterion-referenced testing procedures as used for the purpose of assessing and grading knowledge gained from teaching. It is argued that competitive or norm-referenced grading practices are sadistic, unethical, statistically unsound, and irrelevant to course objectives.…

The study determined the causes for the high dropout rate of Chicano students in Nampa School District 131. In the spring of 1976, a questionnaire was designed and administered to 17 male and 23 female Mexican Americans who had dropped out within the last 5 years (1971-76) and who resided within the school district's boundaries. The questionnaire…

Purpose of the Fort Gay-Thompson Urban/Rural project was to combine the efforts of school and community persons so as to provide a more effective educational program for the west central section of Wayne County, West Virginia. To date, the school-community planning process had resulted in needs assessment and career education programs,…

A description of the 1974-75 Michigan Cost-Effectiveness Study and its findings is provided in this study. The present study is restricted to compensatory education reading programs. Its purpose is the development of the analytical techniques reflected in the cost-effectiveness model. A purpose of the study is the investigation of the direction of…

Do you feel that schools are only for teachers, principals, and people who have special training in education? Well, Centennial schools need help from parents. You don't need any special skills or training. All you have to do is care about making schools better places for children to learn. How can you help your children's schools do a better job?…

This speech addresses the basic but widespread weakness of many efforts in the improvement of college instruction which is believed to be the absence of adequate attention to the theoretical and research foundations of learning and teaching. Some of the current research deals directly with the accountability issue (e.g., criterion-referenced…

Urges colleges to develop cost-effective strategies for complying with environmental legislation and protect themselves and their employees from financial liability. Explains the personal liability of school officials for unsafe hazardous waste disposal practices. Reviews environmental laws, impacts of Right to Know legislation, the increase of…

Solving higher education's budget dilemma is not just a matter of revenue acquisition or cost reduction. It requires demonstrating to the American people and their elected representatives that higher education's accomplishments warrant its high price. Accountability and performance measurement are important tools for justifying acquisition and…

Observations are made on the relationship of institutional viability and faculty research productivity in pharmaceutical education. Issues discussed include keeping faculty current and the curriculum contemporary, technological advancement, and the relationship of teaching and research in pharmaceutical education. (MSE)

Proposes that the creation of three pre-university education levels (vocational, practical, and pre-professional) with strictly enforced proficiency demonstrations might rekindle students' academic motivation, desire, personal responsibility, and personal pride. Suggests changes in athletic eligibility requirements which demand proficiency…

The National Post-School Outcomes Center (NPSO), in conjunction the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) and the Regional Resource Centers (RRCs), held a series of conference calls with states to assess their needs for technical assistance on the new requirements for collecting and reporting post-school outcome…

This paper discusses routes by which HIV/AIDS money is dispersed and received. It notes that capturing accurate data on actual spending patterns of large donors can be difficult, as there is no uniform tracking or reporting system and much HIV/AIDS money is spent under the broader category of sexual and reproductive health. Most of the information…

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Testing Goes to Preschool: Will State and Federal Testing Programs Advance the Goal of School Readiness for All Children? (Robert Rothman); (2)…

There has been a serious decline in academic achievement in both the general and special populations and what we have found is that these students are not doing as well as they should be. Less than one-third of American students are doing well in reading, writing, math, science, and other important subjects. The National Assessment of Education…

Washington state's public four-year universities and college have submitted their 2003-05 accountability plans to the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB). The state operating budget directs the Board to review these plans and set biennial performance targets for each institution. For 2003-05, the four-year institutions are reporting on a…