Discusses seven important issues that should be considered by educators in developing a minimal competency testing policy. (JG)

Critically evaluates recent statements and actions by federal and state officials who do not realize the efforts that will be necessary to raise school standards. Reviews kinds of standards proposed by current reform, considers their effects, and discusses the conditions under which at risk students could respond positively to higher standards.…

A teacher explores the recent educational reform movement and discusses the studies of schools done by Sociologist Christopher Jencks in the 1970s. An important idea that can be extrapolated from Jencks' studies is that schools should function more like families than factories. This would empower teachers and make schooling more equitable,…

The faculties of the postsecondary institutions in Florida, using the authority of the State Board of Education, have implemented a testing program that increases the assurance that all students who complete their sophomore year in college have achieved the communication and computation skills expected of them. (Author/MLW)

Higher education faculty outside the schools of education have a great deal at stake when it comes to the quality of schools and school teaching. They are seen as directly responsible for the frequently poor preparation of those entering college. (MLW)

The University of Southern California's commitment to excellence as well as the significance of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in the university's mission to prepare the community's future leaders are discussed. ROTC faculty selection criteria are identified. (MLW)

Recognizing adults' prior college-level learning requires a substantial investment of faculty time to identify learning outcomes and standards of performance, but the benefits are great for students and faculty alike. (Author)

A comparison of the public debates over higher education quality finds that, despite much common ground, the American concern focuses more on equity, access, curriculum content, and academic standards, whereas the British concern is for value for the money spent. It concludes that each debate can benefit from the other. (MSE)

A discussion of the British higher education admission system describes the drawbacks of the process and the examination on which it relies, examines the implications for the higher education participation rate and social inequality, and argues that alternatives such as developmental courses can not be expected to produce significant change. (MSE)

Five legal questions are discussed in the conflict between the move to institute minimum competency testing (MCT) for students and the effort to protect the educational rights of handicapped children. The threshold question is whether handicapped children should be subject to the same MCT requirements as the non-handicapped. (PS)

In recent demands for educational excellence, rightists emphasize norms, standardized quality measures, and selectivity; leftists emphasize equality, justice, and inclusion. Liberal response should address state and civic needs, and equity of opportunity. This requires universal education in core subjects; practices and standards that nurture,…

A study of the image of the University of South Dakota among high school seniors, students, and alumni revealed a generally positive image, with some less definitive aspects of the image and with variations in image according to group surveyed. The image profile technique used was found to be reliable in assessing the perceptions of the three…

Common ideas for the improvement of teacher education include strengthening subject matter preparation, providing more and better opportunities for trying out teaching skills, integrating theory and research results in the curriculum, and cooperating with schools in preparing teachers. (MSE)

Access, excellence, and equity can be combined, with the help of a revised-access model for community colleges that merges the desirable elements of competitive selection and open enrollment in an effort to protect democratic values while supporting quality and commitment. (MSE)

The main reasons that students drop out of high school are poor grades, family problems, and financial problems. The school reform movement may compound marginal students' difficulties and cause more students to drop out. (MD)