It is not that the weaknesses described are unimportant, but to use such arguments against external programs begs the real issue: the task of developing a high-quality, legitimate, and competitive program of study that broadens and strengthens another approach to learning. (Author)

Created in response to earlier published articles critical of external degree programs, this article consists primarily of a letter from a vice-president of Nova University and excerpts of letters written in support of Nova. (IRT)

Briefly discusses external degree programs in New York, Illinois, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Primary focus is on New York's Regents External Degree Program. (IRT)

In response to criticism of his article concerned with a perceived lack of quality in external doctoral programs, the author asserts that his position has not changed. (IRT)

The author raises questions about the quality of nontraditional doctoral programs. (IRT)

Cites increasing newspaper criticism of external degree programs, particularly that of Nova University, and notes that, unless something is done, both internal and external Ed.D. degrees will sink into disgrace. (IRT)

The establishment or continuance of departmental writing performance standards and evaluative procedures may be justified in terms of fairness to students, content teachers, and writing teachers. (DD)

Discusses the standards and expectations in education. Indicates that if we believe we can succeed in improving education, we can. (JOW)

The state Board of Education began the development process for the Arizona academic standards in 1996 to define what Arizona students need to know and be able to do by the end of twelfth grade. The Social Studies Standards were adopted in 2000 and partially revised in 2003. Developed by committees comprised of educators, subject matter experts,…

Due to increased emphasis on student success and increasing recognition of the school principal's role in creating/maintaining a culture of success, preparation programs in school administration are undergoing increased scrutiny. This prompted the creation of a set of standards for school leaders by the Council of Chief State School Officers and a…

This paper is part of a series of reports that examine the impact of No Child Left Behind, the newly revised Elementary and Secondary Education Act, on state policy and policymaking. It focuses on standards-based assessment. The first section explains that assessments play a pivotal role in standards based reform by: communicating goals that…

The National Education Association developed this audit tool for interested affiliates to use to assess standards-based education in their states by gathering and analyzing information about its implementation and to array the information they gather against a set of standards that can help ensure that standards-based education fulfills its…

The purpose of this publication is to provide a forum through which National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) members can be well informed about compelling, complex, timely issues that transcend grade levels in mathematics education. This issue focuses on mathematics curriculum issues and standards. In the United States and Canada, each…

The lead essay in this collection, "Educating a Democracy" by Deborah Meir, rejects the idea of a centralized authority that dictates how and what teachers teach. Standardization prevents citizens from shaping their own schools, classrooms, and communities. Schools teach democratic virtues and provide much of this teaching by example.…

This paper discusses how cut scores are set and used and how accurately they reflect student achievement. Regardless of the method used, the cut-score setting process is subjective. The cut score is the point on a score scale that separates one performance standard from another. Cut scores may also be used to set performance levels for…