Suggests that secondary school students seem to have reasonably good procedural knowledge in areas of mathematics as rational numbers, probability, measurement, and data organization and interpretation. It appears, however, that students are lacking the conceptual knowledge enabling them to successfully do the assessment items on applications,…

Says that worries about declining academic performance of American students raise awareness that improvement of teacher preparation is critical to quality of life in the future. Suggests directions newly-designed teacher preparation programs should take, emphasizing clinical preparation. (SD)

Describes the work of the Mathematics Assessment Project to produce a bank of test items for specified syllabi. The bank includes both written items and practical or performance items. (PK)

Formative validation methods were used with over 90 mathematics teachers in Utah to design an assessment of the mathematical and mathematics teaching cognitive competencies of underprepared middle and secondary school mathematics teachers. A summative validation study using 47 subjects indicated that the test was valid and reliable. (Author/PK)

Nigeria will discontinue the use of the school leaving certificate examination and will instead rely on continuous assessment of students which is systematic, comprehensive, cumulative, and guidance-oriented. Eight evaluation criteria are suggested: achievement; personal qualities; interests; attitudes; physical health; and cocurricular, outdoor,…

Hospital pharmacy directors ranked their academic needs as: personnel and financial management (greatest), computers, hospital organization, clinical pharmacy practice, traditional pharmacy practice, and statistics. Those with MBAs perceived themselves stronger in these areas than did those with other degrees. Only MBAs and MSs felt adequately…

This paper reviews problems associated with accountability and suggests principles for statewide accountability systems. It describes a course of action which would increase central controls of the state on public education, while leaving discretion to teachers, schools, and local initiative. (LMO)

Examines changes in the Dutch educational attainment process over a 25-year period by analyzing two student generations in two stages: societal change effects and attainment process measurement changes. Results show that societal changes have affected attainment for certain groups and that there has been considerable change in the attainment…

Problems in creating appropriate library and information science professional education for Yugoslavia are considered. These include choice between undergraduate and postgraduate programs; number and location of education programs; teaching staff; part-time character of postgraduate courses; overseas training; language of instruction; availability…

Reading ability of fourth- and eighth-grade Hungarians was assessed as part of the national CTD-80 (Curriculum Theory Department) survey. The texts used in the reading tests are analyzed, as are the reading tasks involved. Resulting achievement test results are presented and described in terms of the text characteristics. (GDC)

This article identifies as problems both social promotion and minimum competency decisions. The author analyzes the need for attention to individual differences and proposes that educational excellence within a compulsory system can be achieved only when standards are adjusted in accordance with individual differences. (MM)

Students evaluated the educational applications of introductory courses. Social science courses had the highest average rating, followed by introductory psychology, arts/humanities courses, and natural science courses, respectively. Application items rated as most helpful were understanding yourself, understanding others, and coping with problems.…

Reviews the present state of science curricula in light of the current crisis in science education, examining the problem of low science enrollment/achievement and its effect on society. Analyzes conflicting demands of preparing students for college and educating the large bulk of students who do not plan science-related careers. (JM)

This review of recent literature on education and educational reform in America offers critiques of six influential studies ("A Nation at Risk,""Action for Excellence,""Educating Americans for the 21st Century,""The Paideia Proposal," The Carnegie Foundation's "High School," and "A Place Called School") and suggests correctives for each. (JBM)

In this guide, transition is defined as the period of time when adolescents are moving into adulthood. This guide is designed to (a) help youth and the adults who work with them understand the role of assessment in transition and (b) describe ways to collect and use data that will lead to informed choices based on accurate assessment of each…