This article traces the history of the progressive education movement and its impact on traditional schools and discusses the complex problems involved with arriving at a satisfactory educational balance between the different concepts. (JD)

The author, Principal Research Officer of the current NFER Mixed Ability Teaching Project, tries here unravel some of the complex questions of ideology, organization and evaluation which have been overlooked in the current debate, highlighted by recent critical statements from the Inspectorate, over mixed-ability grouping in comprehensive schools.…

Discusses the disparities in allocating money for education, the influence of the dollar in making positive change, redressing inequities through the courts, and the road to reform. (Author/RK)

In this study of 460 SIU-C students, five topics related to academic excellence are explored. The results are discussed within a political model of the academic system, treating the university as a political system and students as quasi-citizens who possess a rudimentary academic belief system. (Author/LBH)

Since the state of Florida enacted stricter academic standards for high schools, the dropout rate has increased and middle schools have suffered. Funds formerly intended for elementary and middle schools are being used to sustain high school reform programs. School reform at one level has serious implications for other levels. (MD)

A review of prevalence studies using administrative classification found the highest male/female ratios at the upper end of the intelligence quotient range for children classified as mentally retarded. Other studies indicated that overrepresentation of boys may be due to their difficulty in meeting school performance requirements. (Author/CB)

The National Collegiate Athletic Association's new minimum academic standards for freshman athletes have resulted in 650 students accepted at the colleges but not able to practice or compete with the team as freshmen. The fact that most of these students are black has fueled criticism of the rule. (MSE)

Even as school standards rise, the on-time graduation rate remains generally stable and the proportion of the American population that has completed high school is the greatest in our history. Negative estimates are based on a lack of definitions and data discrepancies. Two strategies for increasing the graduate rate are discussed. (PS)

This discussion of proposed legislation in Congress regarding a national, standardized "Test for Academic Excellence" considers both its pros (lack of standards, incentives for excellence) and its cons (curriculum variations, funding, scoring). (CB)

At least 600 athletes failing to meet minimum academic standards to compete in college sports as freshmen are enrolled in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I institutions. The second annual NCAA survey shows that this year, as last, a high percentage are Black. (MSE)

In the wake of serious problems in the athletics program, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's faculty council is investigating the role of intercollegiate athletics on campus, examining athletics department finances and procedures and its relationships with outside support groups. (MSE)

Describes Metropolitan Nashville (Tennesseee) Board of Education's creation of a strategic plan to establish specific standards for academic performance and participation in school activities. By committing to quantitatively based goals to achieve a centain level of improvement, the board has put the entire school community on notice and has set…

The following arguments are offered in criticism of Hargens' theory that consensus may be measured by scholarly journal rejection rate: (1) Hargens fails to specify adequately the meaning of "consensus"; (2) all sciences have similar levels of relatively low consensus; and (3) journal rejection rates are influenced by other variables…

Cole, Simon, and Cole identify the following variables that may affect scholarly journal rejection rates: (1) field-specific publication norms; (2) diffuseness of journal structures; and (3) differences in training practices. However, they do not explain why the variables they identify covary across disciplines. (BJV)

Applies a brief history of standard English usage in America to take issue with the College Board's pronouncements on basic academic competencies. Points out the underlying injustice to demand a mastery of standard English from students who, through no fault of their own, have had no chance to master it. (JK)