The New Zealand Qualifications Authority was established to develop a consistent approach to the recognition of academic and vocational qualifications. The National Qualifications Framework was designed following surveys of a number of sectors: universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, private training firms, schools, businesses, unions,…

New Jersey has taken steps to improve vocational education programs and services in response to two state reports and the measurement and evaluation requirements of the reauthorized Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-392). Among state initiatives is the Occupational Competency Project, a study of 100…

Four papers follow and document the progress of the Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing in understanding questions related to alternative assessment based on case studies in three elementary schools. The research questions include consideration of the logistical constraints that must be respected in developing…

This monograph has been developed as part of an intensive, 3-year study of five local school districts engaged in general and special education reform. The purpose of the study was to examine how educational reforms were being defined and implemented at the local district and school levels, particularly with students with disabilities. The…

Despite the fact that one of the strengths of two-year institutions is their ability to serve the diverse educational needs of their local communities, a single measure of community college effectiveness, the transfer rate, has come to dominate. Because this single measure of success can be used for both internal institutional review, and for…

In response to legislative mandate, the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges initiated the development of a community college accountability system by convening a task force in January 1991. In addition, grants were awarded to four community college districts (i.e., Mt. San Antonio College, San Joaquin Delta College, San…

This paper examines issues in gathering data for purposes of making accountability decisions for students with disabilities. The first section describes five alternative methods being used: (1) administration of norm-referenced tests; (2) focus on results or outcomes; (3) Individualized Education Program aggregation; (4) secondary analysis of…

In 1989, a long-term partnership began between International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation and the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to form Project A+ (later named the A+ Coalition), a program designed to be a catalyst for educational improvement by identifying fundamental changes needed to enhance education and to marshal community…

This report presents recommendations resulting from a study of current and future workforce preparation needs in Illinois. A special committee held 8 meetings and 10 hearings across the state and examined background reports on national and state labor conditions, existing job training services, and public, private, and proprietary education…

This annual report provides an overview of major initiatives and accomplishments of the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education in implementing the policy directions identified in "Planning for the Class of 2005: A Vision for the Future." It begins with a specification of Commission responsibilities and outlines its legislative agenda…

This collection of 16 essays explore the effects and implications of the changing relationship between external societal influences and academic institutions in the United States. A foreword by Clark Kerr is entitled, "American Society Turns More Assertive: A New Century Approaches for Higher Education in the United States." The essays…

The design and operations of the Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance (EDWAA) Act program in its implementation year were examined through case studies conducted in 15 states and 30 substate areas. During 6- to 8-day visits to each state, field researchers conducted discussions with state and substate respondents. States almost…

In September 1990, the Commission on Work Force Excellence was established to increase Mississippi's economic competitiveness and improve worker opportunities. The commission sponsored an evaluation of the diverse enterprise of the state's secondary and postsecondary vocational education system. Eight findings resulted from the study. First, the…

This monograph examines issues that will shape teacher education programs in the future. Following a foreword by Robert M. McClure, the monograph is organized into three chapters. The first, "Perestroika and Professionalism: The Case for Restructuring Teacher Preparation" (Linda Darling-Hammond), focuses on changes wrought by school…

Forces that will greatly affect higher education in the 1980s are described, and trends during the 1970s are briefly reviewed, with an emphasis on educational finance. During the 1970s, the number of students increased by 24.3 percent, total educational and general revenues more than doubled, the state's proportion of these revenues rose by 5.2…