This document consists of a series of five briefing papers on the state of art education. The first paper, "Multiethnic Art Educators: An Endangered Species," (Esther Page Hill) discusses the problem of diminishing numbers of art educators of African, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American ethnic groups even as the number of minority students grows.…

This report presents findings from the 3rd year of a 4-year study of the impact of educational reform on at-risk students in Texas. Specifically, the study examined the effect of four reforms on at-risk students--the attendance policy, the no pass/no play rule, the driver's license law, and the TEAMS/TAAS (Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum…

This publication reports on a conference concerning postsecondary (post-compulsory) education in the United Kingdom in light of current dramatic changes in education and society with particular focus on vocational qualification structures. Individual sections provide summaries of the following topics considered at the conference: (1) the…

A survey was conducted of the member institutions of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) to determine the status of outcomes assessment on their campuses, as well as the usefulness of the NASULGC "Statement of Principles on Outcomes Assessment." Seventy-three institutions (response rate = 49…

This report discusses a House of Representatives bill (H.R. 2435) to establish a National Council on Education Standards and Testing. The bill's title and purpose, and the congressional findings behind it are outlined first, followed by a summary of provisions concerning the Council's establishment, duties, reports, membership, director and staff,…

The Chicago (Illinois) School Reform Act of 1988 (Public Act 85-1418) established the performance of students on a nationally normed, standardized test as a key measure of success. In the Chicago Public Schools, the tests used are the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) in the elementary grades and the Tests of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP) in…

During the 1970's, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) conducted two assessments of art abilities (1974-75 and 1978-79) and two of music skills (1971-72 and 1978-79) of 9-, 13-, and 17-year-olds, giving a picture of trends in performance over the course of the decade. State assessments were also conducted by Connecticut and…

High schools throughout the United States are turning out graduates who are deficient in mathematics and science education. The field of education has come to be staffed by less competent teachers, as more qualified and more able individuals have been lured away to higher paying professions. The result of this has been the impairment of American…

The California State University's statewide outreach programs to improve student preparation and access are described. An introductory section explains the origins and evolution of the outreach program since 1985, when a report on underrepresentation of Hispanic students prompted expanded recruitment effort. The state university's systemwide…

Successful college instruction programs have two features that are associated with increased grade point averages and retention: (1) they are comprehensive and meet student needs, and (2) they are better institutionalized into the academic mainstream of the college or university. Several program characteristics are crucial to learning improvement,…

The report presents the findings of an investigation into the trends and issues concerning accreditation of professionals and institutions of higher education in the United States. In late 1988 and early 1989, the study examined the accreditation of courses in nursing, engineering, and teacher education, and the accreditation of institutions in…

Item specifications developed by the Arkansas Department of Education as part of the Minimum Performance Testing Program (MPT) appear in this document. Specifically, the social studies materials given to eighth-grade students on the MPT are reviewed. The purpose of an item specification is to provide an overview of the general content and format…

This paper addresses a decline in educational standards and discusses the role of curriculum. After defining the problem, it presents the evidence, pointing to the following factors: (1) decreasing student achievement after the fourth or fifth grade; (2) a curriculum that reflects and perpetuates this decline, e.g., by setting course requirements…

This staff analysis by the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges discusses and offers recommendations concerning the report, "Proposals for Strengthening the Associate Degree in the California Community Colleges," by the Task Force on Academic Quality. The paper begins with brief staff comments on the associate…

The extensive education and training programs established and run by business and industry for their own employees are discussed. The extent of corporate education is assessed with attention to cost, participation, providers, curricula, methods of instruction, organization, evaluation, and corporate colleges. Historical developments concerning…