Recent research on student achievement conducted by the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) indicates that American students are deficient in reading, mathematics, writing, and other skills. To reverse this trend, the Accountable Curriculum, a program that raises expectations for students was created. The program is a departure…

"Standard" is distinguished from "criterion" as it is used in criterion-referenced testing. The former is argued to refer to the real-world cutpoint at which a decision is made based on a test's result (e.g., exemption from a special training program). The latter is a skill or set of skills to which a test is referenced.…

An important component of the Bridging study involves the collection of achievement data using sets of derived test items from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), as well as new items which reflect state and national standards in science. From these test data, student achievement measures are computed, then these measures are…

This guide describes various strategies that states and districts are pursuing to help turn around low-performing schools and raise expectations for all students. Strategies include helping schools gain control of the learning environment, concentrating resources and efforts on providing students with challenging curricula and high-quality…

This report presents national standards and guidelines for initial teacher education in Australia. The report is the outcome of wide-ranging discussions conducted across Australia in 1996 as part of a collaborative project to develop standards and guidelines for initial teacher education. In 1997, the Advisory Committee completed a draft exposure…

Numerous ideas regarding school reform have been in evidence of late. One idea that has received increased attention is standards-driven education reform, which is the subject of this book. The text features an outline of a CD version, which is included. The volume is intended for interested laymen and professionals and features an eight-step plan…

The Spanish-language booklet lists ways that parents, employers, teachers, administrators, principals, and grandparents, neighbors, and concerned citizens can help America reach the National Educational Goals. First, the booklet summarizes the National Education Goals in the areas of school readiness; school completion; student achievement and…

This booklet of academic standards spells out what students should be able to do in Grade 9 English/Language Arts. The booklet gives examples to help students understand what is required to meet the standards and comes accompanied with a list of 10 things parents can do to help their child get a good education. It outlines the following seven…

This paper addresses emerging issues affecting students with disabilities in standards-based assessment and accountability systems. Challenges and possible strategies for addressing the challenges are provided as identified by researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, based on a model developed by the National Center on Educational Outcomes.…

This report updates preliminary information from a 1998-1999 report, "The Civic Education of American Youth: From State Policies to School District Practices," relating to civics standards and assessments. The report states that the information found on its tables and charts was obtained from the Internet and from telephone interviews…

This book offers four standards designed to help students meet the various standards dictated by states, regions, and districts. The book is divided into four sections, one for each of the four standards: rigor, thought, diversity, and authenticity. Each section contains three chapters. The first chapter in each section introduces the standard and…

This brief discusses ways to measure and report school quality. At present, the differences in state accountability systems make comparisons of schools and school systems very difficult. The most common approach to reporting school status is in the context of current status, an approach in which the school mean or median score for students in the…

This guide is intended to provide new and updated information for Nebraska educators in developing procedures for implementation of the Nebraska School-Based Teacher-Led Assessment and Reporting System (STARS). The information supports and updates information in the 1999 STARS guide and the STARS "Toolkit" of December 1999. It is…

This update is intended to provide a summary of current information for implementing the Nebraska School-Based Teacher-Led Assessment and Reporting System (STARS). It is part of a series of materials provided by the Nebraska Department of Education beginning with the STARS guide of 1999. The summary includes background information, including the…

This paper discusses standards-based reform in the Boston Public Schools, exploring the importance of creating a sensible and interdependent relationship between general and special education. Section 1 discusses education reform and special education. Section 2 examines organizational changes to support reform. Section 3 describes conceptual…