Discusses "A Nation at Risk" in relation to the responsibility of college science teachers regarding the report, specifically the recommendations on content, standards and expectations, and teaching (including teacher education). Considers questions of leadership and the support of science education as political issues in the presidential and…

Assessment generally refers to large-scale, system-wide measurement programs for pupil diagnosis; pupil certification; program evaluation; research; accountability; resource allocations; or teacher evaluation. The purpose of assessment should determine the test content, construction, administration, and examinees sampled. Assessment methods for…

Teachers, parents, and students on the White Mountain Apache reservation perceive school activities quite differently, indicating parental isolation and a lack of communication among the groups. Although students tend to agree with teachers more than with parents, teachers alone feel students are inadequately prepared for postsecondary school…

Describes Madison Area Technical College's endeavor to combine a curriculum focused on employment and application with one that would meet the general education requirements of the North Central Association, the 16 General Institutional Requirements, and the transfer prerequisites of universities. (YKH)

Reviews a survey of graduating high school seniors concerning their knowledge of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency. The results revealed that very few students had even the most rudimentary understanding of Roosevelt's accomplishments or positions. Argues that history instruction should emphasize a thorough understanding of the subject. (MJP)

Criticizes K-12 civics and government education for focusing on the various components of government and creating a sanitized vision of how democracy works. Argues that conflict and compromise are parts of the democratic process rather than aberrations. Recommends a shift in focus on both the secondary and postsecondary levels. (MJP)

Examines forces that shape the design of assessment systems for teachers and some inherent contradictions with regard to curriculum and assessment. Proposes a system of assessment that is continuous, dynamic, and principled and does not remove from teachers the responsibility of defining what is important to student learning. (SD)

Analyzes the National Research Council's rating of political science departments and discovers the ratings reflect two general sets of characteristics, the size and productivity of the faculty. Reveals that the quality and impact of faculty research is more important than the overall output. Includes tables of statistical data. (MJP)

Presents survey results that reveal that most political science departments have clearly defined systems of summative teaching evaluation. These systems, however, lack diversity. Most rely solely on student assessment and use this primarily to identify potential problems. Recommends adopting more flexible and constructive approaches. (MJP)

Reports on a pilot study designed to assess the potential of computer-marked tests for allowing students to monitor their learning. Students' answers to multiple choice tests were fed into a computer that provided a full analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. Students responded favorably to the feedback. (MJP)

Examines the catalog descriptions of 42 undergraduate psychology programs in North Carolina. Reveals that minimum introductory and methodological requirements consists of one-term introductory, statistics, and experimental design courses. A required integrated experience was most often a history and systems course or senior seminar. This is…

The impact of standards-based school reform practices on African American learners, especially those in special and remedial classes, is examined. A rationale is presented for standards-based reform that is culturally responsive and not premised on high-stakes, along with recommendations for school reform that focus on accountability while…

Report on research from 18 states that concludes that high-stakes tests do not lead to higher student achievement. In addition, such tests can decrease student motivation to learn and lead to higher student retention and dropout rates. (Contains 2 figures and 21 references.) (WFA)

Discusses the relationships between education and science and technology, and presents an annotated bibliography that highlights four basic areas: (1) Western developed countries, including higher education, secondary education, and training; (2) developing countries; (3) evaluation and assessment of higher education courses; and (4)…

Presents a study that examined student knowledge of place-name geography in a Georgia school system that systematically included geography education at all grade levels. Findings indicated that these students identified correct locations more frequently than adults in any of the nine nations in the 1988 Gallup survey. Includes the test used in…