Argues that geography often is relegated to a negligible role in social studies curricula and that geography instruction suffers from a lack of standards and educational research. Recommends establishing intensive cooperative programs developing a thorough knowledge base for geography teachers and encouraging instructional research. (MJP)

A survey of 145 faculty members from 28 honors university programs found moderate satisfaction with student performance on critical and creative thinking, problem solving, research, written and oral communication, and leadership. Motivation, attitude, intellectual curiosity, and discipline were identified as distinguishing student characteristics.…

Discusses the role of the school library media specialist in standards-based learning. Topics include standards-based assessment; information literacy standards; collaboration with classroom teachers; benchmarks and indicators for student performance; leadership in a standards-based climate; and the use of technology to support curriculum and…

Outlines three major approaches to writing instruction (expressive, cognitive, and social); examines areas in which faculty, employers, and higher education policymakers agree and disagree about necessary writing skills; describes institutional structures that support writing, including writing centers, course offerings,…

Briefly describes activities and questions designed to integrate the study of electricity into any of the specific social studies disciplines. Meeting the performance expectations of the National Standards, the activities are connected to archaeology, anthropology, geography, history, economics, political science, law, religion, philosophy,…

Discusses Hong Kong's growth as an international center and the role of education in achieving its status. Examines challenges faced after return to Chinese sovereignty from the perspective of higher education, particularly in light of a recent expansion initiative. Issues discussed include maintenance of quality and language standards, efficient…

Discussion of the emergence of nontraditional doctoral pharmacy programs looks at three areas of particular concern: (1) faculty time required; (2) availability of physical and financial resources; and (3) assurance of program quality. Challenges to creating quality programs, development of standards, documentation of quality, treatment of prior…

Objectives of these case studies were to identify probable causes of failure; to determine which of these causes could be addressed by the program; and to identify sources of failure specific to the individual. An additional issue surfaced regarding the program's responsibility to screen candidates with criteria other than academic measures. (SM)

In the 1990s, United States needs to build a movement for excellence that reaches into every African-American community and every African-American home to work toward the development of African-American children. Four criteria are set forth to ensure that African-American children, and all U.S. children, develop into outstanding citizens. (SLD)

Analyzes declining Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores since the 1950s. Distinguishes between the population of those who take the SAT and the population of all high school seniors. The culprit is the downward trend of educational skills of U.S. academically most promising students toward those of the average student. (JB)

To respond effectively to the complex issues presented by students with disabilities, colleges can develop a broad network of campus collaborators and clearly articulated policies and procedures to handle most or all situations. Integrating effective policies and procedures with a decisive mission statement, competent staff with specific…

Schools desiring to set, enforce, and realize high academic standards must join with allies who set high expectations for preventing and addressing health impediments to learning. Health and learning outcomes (and inequities) are driven by powerful, remediable social environments, not by individual "lifestyle" choices. "Access"…

Addresses the central issue of test biases in college entrance examinations. Utilizes differential item functioning analysis (DIF) to compare types of questions, fields of knowledge, and male and female responses in Turkish entrance examinations. Reveals intermittent biases and suggests the tests be used more for assessment than selection. (MJP)

This article presents initial findings related to the psychometric issues and current state policies and practices for out-of-level testing of students with disabilities. Findings indicate 12 states have out-of- level testing policies and states are evenly distributed among those that use criterion-referenced tests, norm-referenced tests, or a…

Describes findings from the School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000 about state- and district-level requirements and policies, standards and guidelines, evaluation, collaboration, and staffing and professional preparation; also addressing school-level requirements and policies, standards and guidelines, student assessment, collaboration,…