Education standards are left to the discretion of individual states. However, efforts to help states and local school districts define world-class standards are intensifying. The U.S. Department of Education, the National Education Goals Panel, and New Standards, a partnership of 17 states and 6 school districts, are among those involved. (MLF)

Examines the challenges posed by distance education for accrediting agencies in their attempts to credibly evaluate the quality of education at member institutions. Provides a list of effective practices in distance education, a discussion of the accrediting criteria needed for distance education, and some suggestions for future development. (MAB)

Examines the drive to develop a national set of standards for the English Language Arts curriculum. Addresses the issues of what standards are, what the current standards terrain looks like, what sort of standards could be set, and what the dangers are in the process. Offers suggestions for educators to begin the process of developing useful…

The Goals 2000 Act creates a framework for establishing high academic and skill standards. Offers ideas and suggestions for creating a community or school strategy to reach the National Education Goals. Lists key questions that require answers and ways that central office staff members can provide assistance to the local school site. (MLF)

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) is trying to raise standards for schools of education. Boston University's dean of education finds NCATE's standards insufficient. The Holmes Group wants to abolish four-year programs; others say they are necessary to integrate liberal arts with pedagogical course work.…

A test that for a decade has been required of Florida college students before they can become juniors will, in 1996, become only one of four ways for students to demonstrate academic readiness. While some expect the change to reduce remedial enrollments, move students through college faster, and improve collaboration between public schools and…

This study examined trends in dispersion of total research and development expenditures for the top 200 academic institutions between fiscal year (FY) 1979-80 and FY 1989-90. Although the most prestigious universities registered a significant overall decrease, dispersion did not adversely affect ratings of institutional quality. Medical and…

Discusses important features of the National Science Education Standards. Argues that the burden of implementing the standards must not be placed solely on teachers' shoulders. (10 references) (JRH)

Robert W. Woodruff's $100 million grant to the medical school at Emory University (Georgia), the largest individual gift in the history of U.S. education, was the culmination of a process in which the entire foundation was turned over to the university in 1978. The endowment is used throughout the institution for improving educational programs,…

Explores trends in student performance in math and science. Presents a plan devised by a group of educators for revitalizing science education with the establishment of national standards. Discusses how this attempt at curriculum reform compares with past attempts, current problems, and its chances of succeeding. (MCO)

Although most colleges appear to offer English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses as no-credit, remedial courses, such classes are not really remedial in nature. Offering credit for ESL classes could increase student motivation and would not devalue or lower academic standards. (CB)

Researchers assessed grading practices in college personal health (PH) courses, examining students' PH grades and comparing them with other course grades for 29 semesters. Certain students completed the Health Knowledge Inventory before and after PH courses. Though PH students received relatively high grades, they experienced only modest health…

One challenge faced by colleges and universities is fluctuation in traditional enrollment pools. Qualified applicants with learning disabilities represent a potential resource. Professional guidelines regarding admission practices and applicants with disabilities are available but underused. The profession can develop and validate common admission…

In response to the critical need for geographical knowledge, educators and concerned stakeholders have built a national consensus regarding content standards in "Geography for Life: National Geography Standards 1994." The 18 standards for grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 specify the essential knowledge, skills, and perspectives that students…

Students at 1 East Harlem high school bypass Regents exams and Carnegie units, working intensively to prepare portfolios revealing their competence in 14 curricular areas. European assessment strategies differ from traditional U.S. tests by being truly representative of performance in the field, employing well-articulated performance standards,…