Discusses how coaches are charging that proposed changes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's academic eligibility rules discriminate against black players. (EV)

As European countries become integrated into the European Community, they are examining each other's standards and those of the U.S. and Japan. British and French high school graduation practices are based on terminal assessment. All European universities charge home students only nominal fees; all European countries have elaborate student finance…

Without an enforceable policy, school athletics programs are beset by politics, high finance, and public sentiment. The most nettlesome problems include loss of instructional time to sports and extracurricular activities; the appropriateness and effectiveness of no-pass/no-play rules; lack of sportsmanship; proliferation of interstate competition;…

According to a recent study, state mandates for tougher academic standards do not necessarily lead to more and better course content. Although more lower- and middle-achieving students are enrolled in academic classes, these courses are at the basic, general, or remedial level and fail to meet reform commission goals. (MLH)

This paper outlines the responsibilities of rehabilitation teachers working with individuals who are blind or visually impaired. University rehabilitation teaching guidelines approved by the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired are summarized. Guidelines cover administrative requirements, faculty,…

What William Spady calls "educentric" standards are clear, rigorous, discipline-based principles that will help prepare students for any future direction. The American Federation of Teachers supports the standards movement because members want all kids to have access to a rich and challenging curriculum and be motivated to achieve at…

Project 2061 has been constructing goals for science, mathematics, and technology education since 1985, beginning with high school graduation standards (in "Science for All Americans 1989") and working toward reasonable standards for students at earlier grade levels. Projected "Benchmarks for Science Literacy" will include…

Notes that the faculty is intrigued by the opportunity to design an alternative form of external review; the reaccrediting system of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications is inflexible and adversarial; and the reaccrediting system continues to be based on the assumption that journalism and mass communication is…

In Scotland, recent legislation has increased parents' right to select the schools their children attend. Too often, schools are attempting to influence parental choice based on unsupported assumptions about parents' selection criteria. This paper reports findings of a study to determine what parents mean by happiness, a frequently cited…

The Japanese are setting new achievement standards for their competitive American peers; meanwhile, Japanese students in American schools are learning to be more creative and assertive. Teachers adjust their instruction to make the classroom more comfortable for Japanese students raised on rote learning. A sidebar describes five elementary school…

Discusses the National Collegiate Athletic Association's decision not to increase the number of Division 1 basketball scholarships from 13 to 14 per team and the scheduled increase in academic standards required of players. Many members of the Black Coaches Association claim these rules reduce the number of opportunities for low-income minority…

Surveys a number of standards and assessment projects currently underway at the national level. Places these projects in historical context. Describes and distinguishes the particular foci and methods of each of the projects. (HB)

Discusses the difficulties of establishing national educational standards in a content area such as social studies. Describes how national standards are being studied and might be instituted. (HB)

Implementing standards in the classroom requires two substantial changes. Teachers must translate standards from state documents into homogeneous categories--the basis for setting and communicating specific instructional goals. Teachers must also keep standards-based gradebooks to give students feedback on their progress in meeting topical goals.…

Former California Governor Pete Wilson's "social promotion" package, requiring districts to adopt new promotion policies based on state-mandated test results, is misguided. All retention or promotion decisions should be supported by multiple forms of evidence. Test scores should be buttressed by other information, such as grades and…