Notes that by all the objective measures available, Evanston High has maintained the academic standard of its white students, improved the academic standard of its black students, and reduced segregation by test score. (Author/AM)

Describes the development and implementation of Pasadena's minimum essentials program in English. (IRT)

The norm-referenced competitive environment of our schools is difficult for the below-average student. These students could achieve at higher levels if our educational system changed to one in which an individual is evaluated against identifiable standards of excellence. Below-average students would be motivated to increase their efforts and less…

Reviews the Association of American Colleges (AAC) report, "Integrity in the College Curriculum," a comprehensive look at the role of the undergraduate major in political science. The place of political science in the core curriculum is also examined. (Author/BSR)

Arguments between factions advocating more or less teacher education could slow down the reform process enough to allow gains in the trend toward licensing teachers lacking teacher training. (MSE)

Provides reflections on the meaning of excellence in art education. Identifies four propositions that distinguish excellence in art education. (JDH)

Transcript analysis can provide principals with extensive data to aid them in school improvement efforts. This article describes a study of 191 transcripts from five Central Illinois high schools. Variations in academic and nonacademic course-taking patterns emerged that had important implications for school administrators. (MLH)

This article identifies the characteristics of learning diabled education majors, examines the underlying legal issues presently affecting teacher education, and proposes equitable guidelines and procedures for ensuring quality preservice training for the learning-disabled. (Author/CB)

The National Collegiate Athletic Association's Proposal 48 requiring that student athletes maintain a minimum academic standard of achievement is not sufficient to stop exploitation and commercialism. An institution's admissions standards should be applied to athletes as they are to all incoming freshmen. (MSE)

Essays by four community college chief executive officers (i.e., Michael E. Crawford, Donald L. Newport, Mary M. Norman, and Donald G. Phelps) suggest ways in which community colleges can implement programs and practices that will improve the position of the associate degree and the community college in American higher education. (DMM)

It is time for national scrutiny of the quality of higher education. Some indictments of higher education include: unqualified students; diluted standards, coddled faculty, little scholarly research, no quality control, inadequate measures of performance, declining academic freedom, and self-righteousness. (MLW)

The author considers the effect of raising school standards on the dropout rate. Research related to dropout prevention programs is reviewed in order to identify charactertistics of effective programs. The West German system of early student differentiation is examined. (MT)

Reviews findings on factors that predict dropping out and relates these to recent recommendations for raising school standards. Identifies the adverse effects these standards might have on potential dropouts and discusses some ways of circumventing the negative consequences. Proposes an agenda for simultaneously raising standards and addressing…

Notes that arguments against plagiarism emphasize moral and ethical problems, but ignore pedagogical ones: in passing off others' ideas as their own, students fail to complete their assignment. Suggests a holistic approach, recognizing that plagiarism involves a student, instructor, and the structure within which the two interact. (HTH)

Public education must arm students with the skills and ideals they need to survive in an increasingly complex future. A solid grounding in the basics is the cornerstone of this effort. (MD)