The major issue in the elitist-populist controversy is what art works should be included in the curricula. Elitists defend the choice of exemplary art pieces as instructional materials; populists find this advocacy of exemplars intolerably restrictive. The three major arguments embedded in the populist position are critiqued. (RM)

The success of the South Carolina Assessment Center Project, the first statewide center, is credited to five basic principles that have guided efforts thus far: (1) establish credibility; (2) pay attention to details; (3) apply safeguards; (4) maintain public support; and (5) make the assessment experience humane. (TE)

Directors, assessors, and participants in various NASSP-accredited assessment centers attest to the value of the experience from their own individual perspectives. Regardless of their performance and subsequent assessment, almost all participants indicate that they learned much about themselves. (TE)

The Michigan Institute for Educational Management's Assessment Center Program is based on evaluation of a candidate's strengths and weaknesses in 12 skill areas. The author, a high school principal, describes personal insights derived from this 12-fold evaluation process. (TE)

Presents procedures for a needs assessment where the instructional situation is identified and instructionally oriented needs are expressed through an instructional requirements matrix, as well as a description of the capabilities of microcomputers and their relationship to various instructional activities. A survey of microcomputers and their…

The Spanish university system has grown substantially in numbers of students, faculty, and facilities in recent decades, but no firm policies have been developed for teacher training, and the departmental structure, schedules, financial support, and employment practices have not been modernized despite legislative efforts since 1970. (MSE)

Reviews results of a survey of reading/study skills texts for college developmental reading courses. Offers survey-based recommendations for selection of texts. (FL)

The use of audiocassettes for teaching a distance education course in ancient Roman history is examined, focusing on the general and course-specific advantages of recordings in conjunction with reading assignments for developing reading and listening skills, and students' reactions to the materials and format. (MSE)

Discusses 13 roles or services proposed by Costa and Costa in "A Micro Handbook for Small Libraries and Media Centers" (1983) that media specialists should consider in relation to educational computing. Current applications of microcomputers by media specialists in a public school and a private school in Hawaii are described. (MBR)

A vital aspect of music education often left unattended in preservice education is testing and evaluation. Discussed are ways to measure musical achievement and aptitude and factors to consider when selecting a test for student evaluation. Recommended achievement and aptitude tests are described. (RM)

Explores reasons why "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" has been continuously censored from its publication in 1885 to present. Historical precedents for censorship of library materials in the United States and specific censorship attempts are discussed. Controversial passages are examined in light of both praise and criticism.…

Describes a pilot project undertaken by the Office of Library and Media Services of the Baltimore County Public Schools with Weston Woods, Inc., which involved the purchase of 100 videocassette reproductions of 10 different films based on children's books. Purchasing information for the videocassettes is included. (EJS)

As economics becomes a school subject for a wider variety of secondary school students in Great Britain, instead of being limited to a few higher ability boys, the need for more appropriate texts also grows. Texts and sources which use a greater variety of approaches and material are discussed. (IS)

This book helps principals and all others who hire and retain teachers to sharpen their ability to hire better teachers for their schools, improve the ones who are already there, and keep their best and brightest on board. It demonstrates that the quality of the people on staff will ultimately determine the quality of the school and the success of…

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) is currently implementing two comprehensive school reform initiatives, Making Middle Grades Work (MMGW) and Making Schools Work (MSW). The purpose of both initiatives is to raise student achievement, and they both rest on the belief that all students can complete a rigorous program of studies at middle…