Federal laws have mandated meaningful access to higher education for the handicapped just as teacher training institutions are confronted with pressure to raise academic standards. This paper examines the underlying legal issues and proposes guidelines and procedures for ensuring quality preservice training for the learning disabled and all…

The themes and issues arising from Britain's Leverhulme study are examined concerning educational politics, academic standards, and educational finance, along with criticisms of the report's findings and recommendations. The recommendations are found to be uncomfortable for higher education but sound. (MSE)

A survey of students who completed portfolios of self-acquired competencies to earn credit for prior learning at Indiana University reveals the benefits derived from the process including self-esteem, ability for self-evaluation, and better focus for their degree programs. (SK)

Identifies current and ongoing problems of Colleges of Education (e.g., administrative problems and definitions of scholarship and research). Calls for a synthesis of academic/theoretical activities and professional/practical achievements to be judged by standards acceptable to the academic community, while simultaneously addressing the on-the-job…

A study of the comparability of standards used for awarding first degrees with distinction in Israeli universities found considerable diversity among universities, faculties, and major subject departments of the social sciences. (Author/MSE)

Describes Newfoundland's method of identifying discrepancies among high school graduation marks and the consequences for students of adjustments made to reduce the differences. Notes effect of size of school, random error, and influence of school or teacher on differences. Considers three sets of assumptions necessary for the analysis. (SB)

How Florida responded to a call for improved educational quality by revamping admission standards is described. A number of states have investigated subject matter requirements, which allow students to know what is expected of them and gives a common base for disclosure. (MLW)

Too much of the blame for the decline in the quality of American education is placed on teachers and colleges of education, but responsibility for the problem and its solution rests with the entire institution. Universities should concentrate on developing methods that involve the total institution in the task of teacher education. (Author/MSE)

Based on a review of research and literature on student academic performance, provides an overview of the state of basic skills (developmental) instruction in the two-year college. Discusses the characteristics of successful basic skills programs. (DMM)

The development of a selective admission policy for teacher education programs may provide higher caliber candidates. The merits of selective admission and how it could be applicable in a physical education setting are discussed. The development and analysis of pedagogical skills involved in future teacher preparation are examined. (DF)

International economics is a major influence on society today and a major consideration behind the calls for educational reform. Japan has been establishing a new, higher set of educational standards for the world. (MLW)

The Florida Board of Regents conducts periodic evaluations of university degree programs and of the universities' performance on a set of quality indices. These Evaluations require large amounts of compatible data from all the institutions in the system. A data management process that can support such evaluations is described. (AUTHOR/MLW)

A special workshop at Coppin State for students who succeed in the freshman remedial mathematics course but fail on the final test is described. The two-week review provides a relaxed atmosphere, a tutoring format encouraging more active participation, and a test-anxiety workshop. (MSE)

Too many institutions, it is suggested, are not maintaining standards of time, content, expectations, cooperation, and ethical behavior. To the extent that colleges and universities fail to set and maintain high standards in each category, the entire educational system suffers. (MLW)

Florida mandated high school competency tests in 1978. Evidence presented in the court case of Debra P. versus Turlington indicated students learn what they are taught. Low failure districts reported more concentration on basic skills. The issue of educational equity versus educational excellence has not been more resolved. (DWH)