Since school dropouts who receive the General Education Diploma are discriminated against because they do not possess a standard high school diploma, a plan is presented that recognizes such discrimination and provides a process for making standard diplomas available to dropouts in special education and general categories of intelligence. (MH)

The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) polled all state and diocese-level Catholic school officials in the nation on their knowledge of and attitudes toward the competency-based education movement and its application to Catholic schools. Results, plus specific comments from Spokane, Charleston, Cleveland, and Baltimore…

Competency-based education programs could raise three kinds of legal issues: claims under the due process clause, claims of discrimination under the equal protection clause, and claims of negligence. (Author/JM)

Reports the results of a national survey conducted in the US to determine: (1) languages used in the home, (2) second languages learned, (3) current use of second language, (4) attitudes toward the worth of second language study, and (5) opinions about the opportunity and requirement to study languages at various educational levels. (AM)

National standards are unnecessary for the top quarter of college-bound students. However, a national basic examination covering marketable skills in language and mathematics is crucial to improving the educational system for all other students. Establishing a National Basic Skills Certificate program would appease both liberals and conservatives.…

Describes a Writing assignment in which students prepare a graduation speech. Separates the speech-writing process into steps: (1) deciding on a theme; (2) analyzing the theme; (3) developing an organizational pattern; (4) writing a rough draft; (5) editing in a group; (6) presenting the speech in class; and (7) presenting the speech at…

The use by 31 reading specialists, compensatory education teachers, and secondary reading teachers of Angoff and Nedelsky methods for setting cutting scores for a high-school graduation test in reading comprehension was studied. The Angoff method provides a wider variety of information and yields estimates closer to actual p values. (TJH)

Reports a New York State Education Department mandated government participation course. Course requirements were to examine public policy issues and to incorporate a participatory element. Describes four programs that were implemented by school districts: Effective Participation in Government Program; The Community Service Corps; National Issues…

Argues that the developing computer technologies will allow more people to compose. Contends that this composing ability can be enhanced for more students through the curriculum. Envisions a three-part music program consisting of required and elective courses designed to meet the needs of all students. (GEA)

Presents three physical geography lessons for teachers who may lack either formal training or resource materials in physical geography. The lessons are in response to the new Utah state requirements for junior high schools. Overviews each lesson, suggests activities, and lists materials needed each day. (KO)

Provides statistical data that describe the present and potential future of blacks in higher education as well as highlighting positive and durable changes at particular colleges and universities. Specific areas include educational equality, college admissions, standardized test scores, and graduation rates of black athletes. Comments on…

Discusses the reforms made in the fall of 1990 in the English department at the Ecole Hautes Etudes Commerciales (Paris, France), which were based on the basis of a combination of literature-culture and second- and foreign-language acquisition pedagogical biases. (four references) (VWL)

Since 1989, the Chicago Public Schools have been undergoing a major restructuring that has shifted responsibility for running schools from the central board and administrative staff to local school councils comprised of lay people. The reform legislation aimed to raise achievement, attendance, and graduation rates to national norms. On these three…

Interviews with 28 faculty and administrators in 3 technology teacher education programs found that organizational structure and course configuration influenced faculty and administrator interaction in terms of common educational philosophy, the nature of leadership, influence of institutional goals, effect of accrediting agencies, math/science…

Reports on a survey of state assessment directors (100% response rate) in 1994 documenting assessment policies and practices concerning English language learners (ELLs) within state assessment systems. In the 1993-94 school year, 17 states required students to pass one or more content-area tests to receive a diploma, testing ELLs in several ways.…