Economic factors in education are among the important causes of poor student performance. The time that students must work to support themselves has increased greatly to the extent that students are stretched thin between their desire to graduate as rapidly as possible and their need to have an income. (MLW)

Compares the confusion and inconsistencies encountered in trying to raise and establish educational standards in Australia to the situation of "Alice in Wonderland." (DF)

Argues that community colleges can maintain their commitment to students by raising academic standards, demanding more of students and educators on campus, and remaining open to the particular needs of all constituencies. Explains the experiences of Passaic County Community College, when in 1976 the college instituted higher academic standards.…

Courts have not recognized claims of "educational malpractice," though they have held that such a claim could be formally pleaded with liability precluded by public policy considerations. A 1984 New York Court of Appeals decision in "Snow vs. State of New York" may be the initial breakdown to the barrier of public policy…

Questions of power, leadership, and the struggle of academic versus administrative influence at Oxford University are explored, and Weber's theory of leadership and authority is applied to the institution, whose objective is to produce members of the elite or ruling social strata. (MSE)

Integrity, defined as an institution's doing what it says it will do, is seen as the means of ensuring quality in higher education. Across the university, everyone has responsibility for improving the writing and speaking skills of students as well as encouraging their powers of analysis, synthesis, and quantification. (MLW)

In order to improve teacher education programs in music, music educators must stop passing the buck. They must have tough entry standards and make the hard decisions necessary to enforce them. They must also intellectualize the curriculum. (RM)

This essay cites data on the magnitude of grade inflation and outlines problems perceived by the public and educators. Grade inflation is judged a social condition that damages educators' morale, students' motivation, and public confidence in education. Leadership from principals and teachers and the cooperation of colleges are urged. (MJL)

A study of the highest- and lowest-socioeconomic status (SES) schools in one area showed that student academic self-concept is positively affected by individual ability and SES, but negatively affected by the school averages on these variables. This suggests that students appraise their own abilities, compare with the surrounding students, and…

Describes the change in Duke's English department and departments in general by using historical examples that reflect then current attitudes towards the humanities and scholarship. (CRH)

Advocates restoring humanities to a central role in the curriculum, in that educators must have the courage of their convictions and the responsibility to enact what they believe to be a good educational policy and to urge education organizations to work on their behalf. (CRH)

The purpose of this report is to help in the evolution of these systems by examining the measures used, including, but not limited to, tests. The author asks: Are these the best measures? Are they used right? Are there other measures that should be employed? It is the model of reform itself that is examined, and the report does not address…

This report provides guidance for a rigorous science curriculum in the middle grades based on a solid set of essential standards that can prepare all students to perform at least at the basic level of proficiency and for increasing percentages of students to perform at the proficient and advanced levels. This report is organized around 19…

This report is the first accounting of one case study of large-scale assessment practices in a local educational agency (LEA) where students with disabilities are administered states' standards-based tests out of level. The overall purpose of the research project was to describe the specific effects of testing students with disabilities out of…

Public school students have completed this year's testing under the 2003-04 Wisconsin Student Assessment System "Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations" (WKCE). These examinations were administered at grades 4, 8, and 10 as required by s. 118.30, Wis. Stats. The test results will provide important information about what students know and…