This paper identifies research findings from a study on researcher and practitioner views of the relative effects of policies and practices on learning and the degree to which the implementation of what they view as important policy and practice influences on learning can be assessed and can serve as a basis for educational reform. It was designed…

Indicators are used in quite different ways in vocational education and training, from control and accountability to performance and quality purposes. A classification model has been proposed in which many indicators can fit. It is based on two important dimensions of indicators: (1) the "message" relating to the information content,…

This report describes activities and achievements of a project that examined state policies linking new accountability demands with improvements in college teaching and learning. Major activities included: (1) meetings and national forums to explore state and public concerns about the quality and results of undergraduate education; (2) two…

This paper outlines a method for professional assessment of music therapy students' learning and recall. The purpose of the assessment is to examine the Model of Domain Learning (P. Alexander, 1997) within an Australian context and to provide a professional assessment for application within music therapy education. Despite the music therapy…

This paper addresses emerging issues affecting students with disabilities in standards-based assessment and accountability systems. Challenges and possible strategies for addressing the challenges are provided as identified by researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, based on a model developed by the National Center on Educational Outcomes.…

The Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico-Rural Systemic Initiative (UCAN-RSI) supports standards-based reform in mathematics, technology, and science education for rural students in its states. This guide provides UCAN schools and communities with a set of measures that describe the location of a school/community on the developmental continuum of…

Advances in cognitive psychology deepen the understanding of how students gain and use knowledge and broaden the range of performances and situations researchers want to see to acquire evidence about students' developing knowledge. Advances in technology make it possible to capture more complex performances in assessment settings by including, as…

It is said that "there is no problem in American education that is not already solved in some American school. The pressing need is to discover these success stories and learn from them." This document presents data from educational indicators used by the National Education Goals Panel (NEGP) to provide insight into what works in schools…

The goal of this series of guides is to show Texas educators what components of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum are eligible for testing on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) and end-of-course tests. This elementary level guide contains information for subjects tested in grades 3 through 6. The sections are:…

The goal of this series of guides is to show Texas educators what components of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum are eligible for testing on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) and end-of-course tests. This middle school guide contains information for subjects tested in grades 6 through 8. The sections are: (1)…

This paper presents a dialogue on the subject of reading instruction in the 20th century, comparing historical perceptions of American public schooling with those of contemporary schools. It suggests that prognosticating about schooling traditionally seems to fall into the two categories of wildly optimistic or cautiously pessimistic, and that the…

This document examines progress in the United States toward the National Education Goals. The data are rooted in the annual report of the National Education Goals Panel (NEGP). The Panel, a bipartisan group, drew on the advice of education experts to select the best available data as indicators of progress. States that performed well or improved…

This document presents the annual report of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, for 1998-1999, and contains the following: (1) Message from Commission Chair Leon Baradat; (2) Message from Executive Director David B. Wolf; (3) Commission Actions: Member Institutions, which…

This brief examines educational progress in the United States from 1992-2000 in such key areas as standards and accountability, student performance, closing the achievement gap, technology, and increased access to higher education. This progress was measured in the context of key initiatives that helped the nation's schools and students to make…

This report presents cycle four of the strategic planning process at the State University and Community College System of Tennessee. The cycle extends for five fiscal years from 2000 to 2005, and is meant to: (1) provide a blueprint of the systems vision; (2) provide guidelines to facilitate setting system policy and priorities; (3) provide…