This digest discusses the dilemma surrounding foreign language requirements at colleges and universities and students with learning disabilities. Many students and professionals question the reasonableness of foreign language requirements for students with learning disabilities, but, according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,…

The Kentucky Department of Education's Postsecondary Design establishes school and program admission requirements with adequate educational opportunities and alternatives for those who do not meet these admission requirements. The design recognizes that all components of the curriculum contribute to the educational program of the institution. Each…

West Windsor-Plainsboro High School (New Jersey) offers a tightly structured, diversified curriculum in a nontraditional open setting. The school curriculum focuses on teaching basic skills in reading, writing, science, math, and social studies; using a variety of instructional techniques; maintaining high faculty/administration commitment to…

Reasons for requiring the study of French in high school and college are discussed. (PMP)

This digest focuses on the impact of the educational reform movement on science education. Topics reviewed are: (1) "What is the message of educational reform?"; (2) "What changes have occurred?" listing increasing graduation requirements and lengthening schooling; (3) "Have educational reform efforts improved…

The packet includes a manual describing the Michigan Life Role Competencies (MLRC), a set of appropriate expectations for high school graduates, and an adapted version of those competencies for special education students. MLRC addresses four major areas in functional adult living: (1) employability and occupational skills; (2) personal and family…

Recently, state government and concerned educational agencies in California have shown much interest in adopting a more "rigorous" curriculum for all students, longer school days, and stricter high school graduation and college entrance requirements. These proposed measures are not wrong in themselves, but as standards required for every…

A study examined the effects of increased academic requirements for high school graduation on enrollment trends in public secondary vocational education programs in Washington since 1983. Vocational directors of 211 school districts that had increased graduation requirements since 1983 were surveyed through questionnaires. Results indicated that…

The second round of litigation in the case of Debra P. v. Turlington has required the Federal courts to consider the question whether the Florida statute which requires public high school graduates to demonstrate the "ability to successfully apply basic skills to every day life situations" as measured by the State Student Assessment…

The computer-assisted management model described in this manual was implemented by the Counseling and Human Development Department at Prince George's Community College for the purposes of Student Testing, Advisement, Retention, and Tracking (START). As introductory material notes, START is an integrated computerized system which tracks student…

High school reform efforts in the 1980s have negatively affected the access to vocational education of high school students, including those with special needs, as evidenced by a longitudinal study of the course-taking patterns of high school students in one Illinois community (called "Fremont" in the study). The sample was composed of…

Reports on the current status of public education in Utah's public schools called for educational reform dealing with curriculum, instruction, student activities, preparation of teachers, inservicing administrators, and modes for improving teacher pay. A series of meetings held by educators, conferences, and visits throughout the state provided…

The importance of defining the college experience in specific terms in publications for prospective students is discussed. The academic area is the most vital to describe, since college work differs greatly from high school in the emphases on academic diversity, self-initiative, and study outside the classroom. Publications should describe…

Some insights into the development of an eleventh grade test of "adult functional competency" are provided. The evolution of the test from its first mention to its translation into a test item pool is traced. An attempt is made to identify some of the instructional, measurement, and legal implications inherent in various decisions which…

Chapter 6 of a book on school law attempts to identify and examine a few of the legal problems raised by minimum competency programs, which make successful performance on a standardized test a condition for receipt of a high school diploma. The three areas where minimum competency tests are most likely to be challenged are the equal protection and…