Research studies on the academic ability of individuals recruited into teacher education have produced mixed findings; some studies have found that academically talented teachers tend to leave the classroom in greater numbers than less academically capable colleagues, while other findings have indicated that teaching attracts and retains those…

Reasons for slipping academic standards in U.S. community colleges and a specific program combating this problem are discussed. Two reasons are offered for this slippage; the first has to do with the ambiguous state of the community college faculty. These teachers are said to have difficulty defining their roles because they feel a powerlessness…

This manual is written for the individual responsible for choosing the passing score on an educational or occupational test. It concentrates on practical advice to help select and apply a method for choosing the passing score. Decisions, standards, and judgments are defined and discussed in terms of considerations in choosing a passing score…

This is the report of a commission of 20 Illinois citizens charged with identifying the principal problems in the State's elementary and secondary schools and recommending actions for improving the State's educational program. Three principal areas are addressed: (1) instructional standards and pupil performance; (2) personnel (especially teachers…

This paper reports on our investigation of how AACSB standards can be woven into an MBA curriculum. The result is a bold move away from functional "silos" and a radical redesign using a cross-functional integrated approach. The Cotsakos College of Business's curricular requirements were examined in order to determine whether or not they…

In keeping with its commitment to equity in education and the maintenance of academic standards, Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) instituted an Academic Alert and Advisement System (AAAS) to inform students halfway into the term about their progress and to provide them with appropriate academic advisement. Students receive information on their…

The strategy-oriented planning process used at Cuyahoga Community College (CCC) is described in this paper. After providing background on CCC, its enrollments, service area, annual fiscal responsibility, and long commitment to educational planning, the paper identifies five key areas for planning in the coming decades: (1) technological…

Research findings concerning the relationship of grade retention to the self-concepts and academic achievement of middle and junior high school students, and to school promotion standards are examined. The few studies conducted in this area of research seem to indicate that (1) failure to be promoted to a higher grade is related to children's…

General guidelines for judging and evaluating advanced degree programs are presented, and the several types of degrees and specific graduate programs are discussed in detail. Graduate programs may be fully prescribed for all students, may have significant elements of flexibility permitting adaptations to individual needs and aspirations, or may be…

An accreditation self-study was conducted by the University of Houston Central Campus. In the process of establishing the academic priorities for departments two dimensions were assessed: the current quality of the academic programs and the centrality of each program to the stated mission of the college under which it was housed. Based upon a…

The most important aspect of competency-based education is clearly linked to Bloom's mastery learning model: the establishment of behaviors which ought to be learned and adequately performed by public school students. The main components of competency based education are: (1) establishment of student standards; (2) student testing; and (3)…

The evolution of black studies programs from the 1960s to date is described in this radio transcript. Criticisms of early black studies programs are discussed. Changes in black studies teaching materials are mentioned. The lack of a black perspective in instructional materials is examined. Inadequate teacher preparation in minority studies is…

The prevalence of grade inflation was analyzed from over 125,000 final grades, representing 144 undergraduate courses and 9,338 students. Grade inflation was defined as a systematic increase in grades for the same course over a five year period, statistically controlling the student's major and academic and demographic background. There was no…

Minimum competency testing, in which passing a uniform test is necessary (but not sufficient) for promotion or graduation, has been carried out in a number of colleges, including the City University of New York (CUNY). Competency programs usually have three basic components: placement testing, remedial instruction, and exit testing. Competency…