Explores the use of state wage data in college planning, program improvement, and educational assessment. Explains how Southwestern College, which began collecting post-college wage data to gauge its economic impact in the community, found that these data were also valuable in assessing its career programs and institutional effectiveness. (EMH)

Calls for community colleges to collaborate with state and federal agencies to develop national post-community college earnings measures and student outcomes. Asserts that changes in pre- or post-college earnings result from many factors, and that attributing these changes to a single variable may lead to inaccurate conclusions. (EMH)

Describes two tiers of accountability reporting: (1) external reporting requirements; and (2) internal management diagnostics. Contends that the locus of control for Tier 2 reporting resides within the institutions, and that community college executives should concentrate more on using these types of administrative records more effectively. (EMH)

Argues that U.S. schools are failing because they systematically suppress children's interests, values, diversity, individuality, and idiosyncratic potentials. The paper suggests that a system of educational choice and vouchers has many advantages, including a competitive environment which responds to families. Also discusses and responds to…

Asks how the "Art in America" radio programs illustrate the way educational mass media emerged from its forerunners of adult education, museums, libraries, and distance education. Discusses the precursors to the program, its production, the programs as education and as entertainment, and how listeners learned from radio. (DSK)

Suggests that dissatisfaction with traditional teaching practices is fundamentally a moral complaint: teaching students as receptacles offends our sense of human dignity. Argues that students should be treated as moral agents and explores the concept of moral agency, identifying three necessary elements: choice, vision, and an end-in-view. (DSK)

Presents results of a study of the organizational and political context of internal and external school evaluation in four European countries, focusing on evaluation methods and the role of the inspectorate. Also presents a comparative analysis of four cases of school self-evaluation at the elementary level in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands,…

Demonstrates the extent to which school-level performance in the British General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) program is underpinned by variations in the socioeconomic backgrounds of students. Concludes that uncontextualized performance statistics are flawed, and that policies for school improvement must address underlying constraints…

This study indicates dramatic increases in the number of states using data from students with disabilities on school participation, exit, and achievement in their accountability systems and in the number of states with guidelines on the use of assessment accommodations. States seem to have changed little in knowledge about student participation…

Points out areas in which aspects of assessment practice remain resistant to change: (1) evaluation of student achievement; (2) appropriate application of assessment innovation; and (3) preparation of educators in educational assessment. (SLD)

Explains how rubrics can be used to assess children's understanding of chance and data concepts. Encounters unexpected results besides assessing chance and data outcomes. (ASK)

Presents a conceptual foundation for using concept mapping as a cognitive learning strategy and as a method for assessing structural knowledge; reviews the growing body of research related to both applications. Describes some of the conceptual and empirical limitations of concept mapping. (Author/AEF)

Muses on reasons why the education community seems to have an inherent inferiority complex when compared to other university fields. Contends that this is the result of refusing to adopt the position that educators must engage the need to control and ethically use the power that comes with their knowledge. (DSK)

Provides a general framework for examining the consequences of assessment programs, especially statewide programs that intend to improve student learning by holding schools accountable. The framework is intended for use with programs using performance-based tasks but can be used with programs using traditional item formats as well. (SLD)

Describes Kentucky's inclusion of all students in its educational assessment and accountability system. Describes how this system operates at three elementary schools to drive high expectations for all students and include students with disabilities in the general education curriculum. Students participate in either the standard assessment or…