In an interview, Barbara Koppman, a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and curriculum writer, expresses her opinions on professional standards, teacher morale, teacher evaluation, the use of master teachers, professional organizations for teachers, teacher image in the media, and the school's role in solving social problems. (JN)

The evolution of a group monitoring system directed at rendering the monitoring process more open, as well as improving feedback and direct tutor involvement in the process, is described. Issues discussed at Open University tutors' meetings include grading standards and personal knowledge of students. (AF)

Problems in the validity and usefulness of the Law School Admission Test in selecting appropriate candidates for law school admission are detailed. The history of the test's development and controversy over its use are discussed. Available from Law Student Division, American Bar Association, 1155 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637; $1.00. (MSE)

Lack of independent review process in professional schools and refusal of courts to review errors not resulting from arbitrariness, caprice, or bad faith leave student and societal interests in accurate grading inadequately protected. (Journal availability: University of the Pacific, 3201 Donner Way, Sacramento, CA 95817.) (MSE)

Reported is a study of one affluent community which has experienced a sharp enrollment shift toward private education. The public and nonpublic school parents sampled differed strongly in satisfaction with public school achievement, discipline, and moral training. Academic motives for school choice predominated. The Catholic sub-sample receives…

The Italian educational system's experiences with national examinations might help United States educators understand the impact of state tests on students, schools, and education in general. (JT)

Describes the Passaic County Community College Academic Foundations Program which: (1) conducts student assessment; (2) provides academic and basic skills training through the Program's learning center; (3) integrates the teaching of thinking skills with instruction in writing, reading, and mathematics; and (4) established high academic standards…

This is a slightly abridged version of the report of the National Academy of Education panel, convened at the request of HEW Secretary Joseph Califano and Assistant Secretary for Education Mary F. Berry, to study recent declines in student achievement and methods of educational improvement. (SJL)

Learning is greatly facilitated if its intended outcomes are clear to both learner and teacher, if they are appropriate to the purpose of the instruction, and if the path to them has been marked out clearly. Myths and obstacles to achieving better processes of teaching and learning are discussed. (Author/MLW)

The Council on Social Work Education's Accreditation Standard 1234A encourages special efforts by schools to promote racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in the student body, all levels of instruction and research, and institutional support. Criticisms of the standard's vagueness and techniques for its clarification and implementation are…

A truly balanced institution of liberal learning requires that socially useful information be broadly defined in order to safeguard academic freedom and foster the goals of a social democracy. (CJ)

Higher education, it is suggested, has lost much public confidence because of the problem of overinflated grading standards. Relative performance standings of all students in a course could correct the inconsistencies. "Extra academic record" evaluations are seen as expensive, draining faculty time and university resources. (Author/MLW)

Reports on the system by which Nigerian journalism students must qualify to receive their degrees. (RL)

Society's pressures on higher education are seen as turning students into "attendees" and colleges into holding vats for the young. Some suggestions include elevating standards in the schools, using educational brokering, sharpening accrediting surveillance, providing incentives, and forming faculty-admissions officer "Committees on Academic…

A review is given of an eight-year plan to improve the development of the natural sciences in the People's Republic of China and its impact on mathematics education. (MP)