This report presents the results of the fifth annual survey of state activities in the assessment of educational outcomes for students with disabilities. The survey of state directors of special education requested information in the areas of federally reported data, assessment of outcomes, participation of students with disabilities in state…

This document provides an overview of the status of instruction concerning Science/Technology/Society (STS) issues in elementary and secondary history courses and makes a persuasive case for the implementation and expansion of courses addressing these issues. A quick review of research on the purpose of history of science education reveals a…

The Oregon State System of Higher Education is developing a new approach to admission to any of the state's seven public baccalaureate granting institutions. This approach replaces the grade point average with proficiencies, clearly specified statements of the knowledge and skills students must master. The new system is known as the…

In 1994-95, a study identified over 50 Texas schools that were heavily impacted by poverty but had high scores on state achievement tests. Specifically, the schools received Title I funds and were implementing Title I schoolwide programs, and at each school, over 60 percent of students met free or reduced-price lunch criteria; at least 70 percent…

These materials feature the report and recommendations of a task force that was asked to develop a strategic plan that identifies the present and future needs of the Nanaimo (British Columbia) School District and recommends strategies for policy development and implementation in the years ahead. The task force gathered information for its…

The 1990s show distinct changes from the 1960s in terms of the views held by education practitioners, policymakers, and the public concerning the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Developments such as the national education goals, the prospect of voluntary national education standards, and the possibility of a national system of…

This synthesis of research on alternative assessment methods in teacher education reviews literature on performance assessment, describing the various types of assessment discussed by M. Priestley (1982), including: (1) actual performance assessments (work-sample tests, identification tests, supervisor ratings, peer ratings, and self-assessments);…

This paper reviews 1993 trends and issues in urban education in five sections. Following an introduction, the first section describes the economic conditions of today's diverse urban public school students and the way that poverty differentially affects various ethnic and racial student groups. A second section analyzes key educational policies…

This publication, part of a series initiated in 1986, describes effective educational practices of schools that serve disadvantaged students and adds information on recent research about the characteristics of these schools to support the review. Following an introduction, four types of attributes are examined in four sections. Section 1 considers…

A detailed description is presented of the types, functions, performance levels, governance, administration, and funding of public examinations in 14 Sub-Saharan African countries with different educational traditions, based on English, French, or other backgrounds. The countries are: (1) Kenya; (2) Lesotho; (3) Mauritius; (4) Swaziland; (5)…

The three service academy prep schools were assessed to determine how well the schools accomplished their missions and whether they were cost effective. A review was performed at seven sites, the: Department of Defense (DOD) and service headquarters, Washington, District of Columbia; Military Academy, West Point, New York; Air Force Academy,…

This is the central document of the fourth series of annual reports to measure progress toward the National Education Goals through the year 2000; goals which set high expectations for education performance at every stage of a learner's life, from preschool through adulthood. The report focuses on 16 core indicators that are: comprehensive across…

This document reports on a six-part study conducted during 1993-94 evaluating rural secondary education in Alaska. A survey of 152 graduates of Mt. Edgecumbe High School (a boarding school attended by rural students) examined how well their educational experiences prepared them for college, trade school, and employment. A telephone survey of 800…

In 1987, parents and teachers from diverse neighborhoods of a local school district in New York (New York) founded the Bronx New School, a small public elementary school of choice that was meant to be learner-centered, with high standards for all. The school was organized into heterogeneous, multi-age classes and structured to encourage…

Forms of reasoning and problem solving required of students by innovative assessment projects in science are examined. The initial phase identified activities and school systems where new forms of science assessment were being piloted. The following are general dimensions of performance that were identified: (1) structured, integrated knowledge;…