The Alaska Benchmarks Examinations measure student achievement in reading, writing, and mathematics at grades 3, 6, and 8. This booklet answers some of the most frequently asked questions about these examinations and presents some sample questions. The Benchmark Examinations are part of a statewide school reform effort known as the Quality Schools…

The extent to which the instruction, assessment, and Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP) test preparation activities of language arts teachers aligned with the Maryland Learning Outcomes (MLOs) and the reading and writing tasks on the MSPAP was studied in the 1996-97 school year. The reading and writing activities of 280…

In an effort to discover how Maine schools are operating their Reading Recovery (RR) programs, Maine Reading Recovery teachers provided information related to school-level implementation. Although completion of the Maine data forms was optional, three-fourths of the 346 Maine RR teachers completed the forms. Two types of implementation data were…

The state of Washington implemented the Readiness to Learn program as part of the state's Family Policy Initiative. The primary goal of the program is to serve as a formal link between education and human services by authorizing grants to local school-linked, community-based consortia to develop and implement strategies that ensure children arrive…

Workplace and educational changes related to gender in Louisiana in 1996-97 suggest some progress but a continued need to reduce wide gender gaps in some occupational areas. Workplace data show a closing gender gap, but changes are occurring at different rates for different areas. Women's share of the total labor force continues to rise; wage…

When the Maternal and Child Health Bureau implemented an initiative in 1995 to support mental health for school-age children and youth by strengthening the capacity of school-linked health programs to address psychosocial issues and mental health problems, two national centers and five state projects were developed. The work of projects in…

This guide contains the recently revised 1998 Texas procedures concerning dyslexia and related disorders and provides school districts and parents with additional information on the state's dyslexia law and its relationship to the federal laws, Section 540 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The…

This digest presents highlights from the Winter 1998 New Directions for Community Colleges volume titled "Determining the Economic Benefits of Attending Community College." The passage of the Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act (VATEA) in 1990 gave incentives to states to develop accountability measures. Attempts are…

Since 1915, when the Americanization "movement" came into being, the American people have joined dozens of Americanization societies, listened to hundreds of people who declaimed Americanization, and read thousands of dissertations, wise and otherwise, on the same theme. For several years past, Americanization movements have been…

At the time of this writing, little was being done in the area of educating mentally and emotionally handicapped children in the United States. The author details this problem, reports on what is currently being done, and offers solutions and recommendations on further combating the issue. Contents include: (1) The problem. (2) State provisions…

The purpose of this report is to comply with the legislative mandate of the Assistive Technology (AT) Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-394) requiring the Secretary of Education to report annually on the activities funded under this Act (Section 103(c)). Section 103(c) of the AT Act of 1998 requires the following information on the AT State Grant…

A national shift toward greater state and district control of the teacher recertification process and a trend toward a reduced role for higher education institutions is reported. Certificate renewal requirements in 36 states and problems of quality control that might arise in locally directed programs are noted. (PP)

Following a summary of different ways in which the Pennsylvania Department of Education is using computer technology to improve education, describes (1) three electronic mail pilot projects; (2) a resource center and data base for school improvement; (3) a computer literacy course; and (4) management training programs. (DC)

Educational services to adults in New York State are extensive and offered in many settings; credit is also available for learning outside the classroom. Adult learning needs and the services provided by the state, including basic education, external degree programs, occupational education, and correctional education, are summarized. (Author/JMD)

The evolution of the California Assessment Program from its legislative origins in 1961 is discussed. The following topics are included: history; analysis and reporting of results; program impact; program assessment; and future changes in emphasis. (MH)