Measures of student achievement must be linked to the characteristics of academic programs. The Differential Coursework Patterns Project at Iowa State University was used by the University of Tennessee at Knoxville as a method of linking outcome measures to program data. Results are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Many school boards view standardized test scores as indicative of school effectiveness. This primer outlines basic facts about standardized tests and tells how school systems can use test results productively. (MLF)

Early evidence indicates that, contrary to what many educators fear, current efforts to raise standards are having a beneficial effect on at-risk students. (Author/TE)

The new president of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy urges pharmaceutical educators to examine how the outcomes of pharmaceutical education relate to current public health needs and the changing health care system. (MSE)

Considers the use of outcome-based education (OBE) as an accountability system. The interpretation and use of OBE for accountability and issues arising from its use are reviewed. The use of OBE will exacerbate rather than solve current problems in education, but its potential should be explored. (SLD)

Examines the development of quality assurance in higher education delivered through open and distance learning. Highlights include recent publications on quality assurance, factors for change, key terms, debate about organizational mission, management, customers and students, competitive environment, and philosophy of professional- versus…

A quality assessment at the University of Jyvaskyla (Finland) started with self-evaluation followed by a foreign visiting group's evaluation. The positive effects of the evaluation were commitment, organizational self-understanding, a new frame of planning activities, future orientation, and a new position in external relations. (Author/JDD)

The relationship between odd-man-out reaction time tasks and intelligence was examined in 2 experiments involving 79 college students. The two experiments indicate that tasks that assess the ability to perceive relationships among stimuli rapidly are good measures of general intelligence. (SLD)

Two basic models are presented of emotional functioning as it is commonly considered relative to brain damage. Methodological concerns in the literature are reviewed, and issues of measurement are highlighted to demonstrate the importance of empirically defining the prevalence of emotional effects. (SLD)

A more fragmented approach to assessment of global ability concepts than is generally advocated is suggested, based on the assumption that decomposing a complex ability into cognitive components and tracking performance across multiple measures will yield valid and instructionally useful information. Specifications are suggested for designing…

This article describes the theory and implementation of zero-based curriculum review (ZBCR) in the higher education setting. ZBCR's purpose, preconditions, and procedures are discussed; and specific examples are given to illustrate the structuring, conducting, and application of the results of the ZBCR process. (Author/DB)

Describes a Florida county's attempt to address increasing demands for assessment. Guided by responses from 1,007 administrators and teachers (75 percent of a random sample of 1,343), a broad assessment framework was developed encompassing advocacy, administration, reporting, training and development, and technical assistance. (13 references) (MLF)

Internationally, one of the challenges posed by the move to "quality" is to bring together the disparate interests of students, administrators, and other users not only in planning new facilities but in maintaining and developing them. (MLF)

Many states are answering the call for public reports on educational progress by developing indicator systems that are designed to show trends within and relationships among school data. A table shows 13 states and the number of indicator components used. Offers advice to school boards considering indicator systems. (MLF)

Standards in art education contradict the nature of art: the unexpected, the imagined, the explorations and creative discoveries. What must be communicated is the importance of the arts and aesthetic education, the nurture of informed understanding of art, and meaningful standards that emerge intrinsically and are not imposed extrinsically (SK)