Opinionnaires were sent to one person in each of the 50 states who was knowledgeable about minimum competency testing. Results showed significant differences in opinion, but there was agreement that tests should be used to improve instruction and identify students needing remedial help. (JHZ)

Demand for college composition courses has made it necessary to adopt departmental standards to ensure fairness to students and to faculty. This fairness doctrine promises that certain minimum requirements are being established and are being met. (MLW)

Discusses admissions policies, retention standards, degree requirements, and transfer credits as they relate to articulation between two- and four-year colleges. Addresses the historical mission of the junior college, the open-door policy, the transition from junior to community colleges, remediation, retention and transfer, and the importance of…

Argues that current grading practices in some schools lack consistency in several critical areas, including criteria for failure, absolute or relative standards, and motivation of slower students. Policies are suggested that will help educators develop fairer and more humane marking systems. (TE)

Urges community colleges to reaffirm their commitment to quality education in the midst of declining enrollments and budgets. Looks at quality considerations related to mission, the collegiate function in career programs, image and reputation, educational needs, long-range planning, cutbacks, and academic standards. (AYC)

Reports on findings of research using the Roueche-Baker Community College Excellence Model conducted at Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC). Describes MDCC in terms of organizational climate, situational leadership, teaching excellence, systems for student success, curriculum and educational reform efforts, and results of the reforms. (DMM)

Trends in college entrance standards and student characteristics are analyzed and the relationship of applicant patterns to institution type are discussed. It is proposed that while the decisions being made in college admissions are affecting higher education, they are also remaking and reflecting changing American society. (MSE)

Political factors that will affect whether quality issues can continue as part of the active policy agenda are examined, including the politics of comparative standards, quality improvement, institutional control, and specific quality incentives (admissions standards, performance funding, innovation, and targeted grants for institutional and state…

"A Nation At Risk," the report of the National Commission on Excellence in Education, lists concerns, findings, and suggestions for solutions to educational problems. Discussed here are the general educational concerns most relevant to music education. Following each concern are suggestions for improvement that can be implemented in music courses.…

Although high school art classes stress creativity, abstracting, analytical and evaluative skills, personal motivation, caring, and commitment to one one's own work, college admissions policies tend to undervalue them. To improve the quality of education, college admissions policies should take art as seriously as other "academic" subjects. (JBM)

Suggests a legally grounded process for determining adequate performance standards while posing the fewest legal and logistical problems for schools. Addresses issues of accountability, promotion and retention, teachers' concerns, student/parent concerns, and relevant legal issues in developing and implementing appropriate standards. Various types…

The importance of state academic standards soared in January 2002 with passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Not only does that milestone law require all states to have demanding academic standards in place and to demonstrate steady student progress toward academic proficiency as set forth in those standards, it also links states'…

This booklet is one in a series of "hot topics" reports produced by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. This particular issue is a joint publication of NWREL's Equity Center and the Office of Planning and Service Coordination. These reports briefly address current educational concerns and issues as indicated by requests for information…

The Report of the National Reading Panel (2000) explains that phonemic awareness instruction and phonics instruction are highly beneficial for students learning to read. In the updated second edition, Edmund V. Starrett provides educators with guidance on teaching phonics as part of a well-planned reading program. This reference book presents the…

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has the potential to improve many of America's schools, but this potential is currently undermined by serious flaws in how the program evaluates school performance. Because NCLB's measurement system compares only students' performance at a single point in time against state-determined standards, the information…