Four thousand students and 1,200 teachers participated in an evaluation of Ireland's secondary education system. Student and teacher responses were compared, and significant disenchantment and alienation were found in both groups. Questionnaire items, which specified educational objectives, are included. A strategy is recommended for developing an…

The director of the Council for the Advancement of Experiential Learning (CAEL) describes his organization and its Institutional Development Program in Experiential Learning, which involves resource persons working with participating postsecondary institutions in providing experiential education for a diversity of students. (MF)

Presents a general evaluation model for use by school counselors in assessing career education programs. The model suggests a variety of strategies for involving teachers and community representatives in the process of defining career education goals, program outcomes, and evaluation techniques. (Author)

Intelligence testing has a place in assessment and placement procedures. (PHR)

The paper outlines an educational scheme whereby teachers of severely mentally retarded and multiply-handicapped children (including deaf/blind children) can assess the prelanguage levels of children on a hierarchical language schedule, which culminates in the acquisition of natural gesture. (Author)

This report on the Pennsylvania statewide assessment program answers two questions: (1) what are minimum competencies?; and (2) for whom are competencies really minimal? (Author/MP)

It appears that the science achievement of children in schools is less encouraging than it was a decade ago. Data supporting this claim are presented from several sources. (BB)

In a survey of 51 state science supervisors, 93 percent of the supervisors who replied said that state-wide minimum-competency testing did not assess science learning. (BB)

The evaluation by Abt Associates, Inc., of the Follow Through program, an extension of Head Start designed to improve primary education for disadvantaged children, created a controversy about the program and its assessment, which is discussed in this article. The authors see serious flaws in the evaluation design and interpretation. (MF)

Litigation and legislation have redefined the role of the school relative to placement of children and the educational services provided them. The focus of this review is on three previously disenfranchised groups, the young, the handicapped, and the culturally different. (Author)

Presents research data to examine two questions: What do teacher-constructed social studies questions measure? How does the skill of critical thinking relate to a teacher-constructed test? (Author)

The paper discusses and makes recommendations for action on the quality of working life, career education, reform of secondary education, manpower development, and a reappraisal of vocational education philosophy and purpose. A bibliography of literature in each of these five areas is included. (MF)

Considers the adverse criticism of the public school system in the United States to be unjustified and unwarranted. (RL)

The support and involvement of a state department of education is invaluable in the maintenance of an arts in general education program. Describes some AGE programs made possible through state cooperation. As well, state arts agencies can be valuable allies in developing and implementing a local or state plan for the arts in general education.…

The interview with the social studies coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Education discusses development of a competence-based graduation test, definitions of "selected educational learner outcomes" (SELOs), relationship of Minnesota's SELOs to national standards, and problems of testing skills and attitudes. (AV)