In 1998, the Kentucky General Assembly called for a new testing system known as the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS) to determine how much children are learning in school. This brochure tells the basics about Kentucky's system of public education. The "Core Content" document describes what students should know and be…

In response to a state supreme court decision that the state's system of schooling was unconstitutional, the Kentucky legislature passed the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990. In December, 2000, a Louisville conference brought together educators, policymakers, and researchers to discuss research findings and lessons learned during 10 years of…

This paper discusses the rationale behind and uses of high stakes testing. Much of the support for high stakes testing comes from a desire to boost student achievement by increasing student and teacher motivation to do well. There are many disadvantages to high stakes testing, including inappropriate use of the test, inadequate test development,…

This report examines the current state of community colleges in South Africa. A pilot study was designed to assess the state of thinking, practice, partnership, possibilities, programming, restructuring, and needs with regards to South African community colleges. Preliminary findings suggest that, where community colleges do exist, there is a…

In October of 1999, Columbia Basin College (CBC) (Washington), along with 21 other colleges in the area, administered the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CCSEQ) to its students. The survey collected information on student demographics, quality of effort, perceived gains, satisfaction, and courses taken. This document provides…

This report presents the results for the Automated Student and Adult Learner Follow-up System at South Texas Community College (STCC). It details the employment and further education experiences of STCC students who graduated in 1998-99. All technical programs at the college are required to meet a standard of 85% placement of graduates. Successful…

This paper discusses assessment in science in the context of current discussions of standards and high stakes testing. Setting standards is always challenging, and care is needed to make the standards for science achievement neither too high nor too low. States must be careful to establish standards that are clearly written and that have high…

This final report is the outcome of a special education study initiated in March 2000 to review the delivery of educational programs and services for students with special needs in Alberta, Canada. The review process involved consultation with education partners, stakeholders, and service providers who identified issues and made recommendations to…

This report is designed to assist states and districts as they consider the issues surrounding the use of non-approved testing accommodations for students with disabilities, including changes in test setting, timing, scheduling, presentation, or response. Recommendations are provided for ways to use and report data from assessments taken with…

This book is intended to provide a systematic approach to improving the test performances of students with disabilities in the context of the increased inclusion of these students in state and district educational assessments. Chapters include guides for decisions and forms to document them and to track student progress. Each chapter also provides…

This document is a summary of one of two presentations about collaborative projects between scientists and science educators. Each paper offers insights into accomplishments and obstacles encountered during the respective programs. Paper summaries include: (1) "Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education"; (2) "Bemidji State…

The Texas Education Code requires the Commissioner of Education to develop and propose a system for evaluating the progress of students eligible for exemption from the statewide assessment program under current law. This report summarizes the proposed system for limited English proficient (LEP) students. It includes proposed changes to the…

The Texas Education Code requires the Commissioner of Education to develop and propose a system for evaluating the progress of students eligible for exemption from the statewide assessment program under current law. This report summarizes the proposed system for special education students. It includes proposed changes to the assessment and…

This monograph deals specifically with the challenge of recognizing or assessing creativity. Following an introductory chapter, chapter 2 focuses on definitions and characteristics of creativity to help clarify the nature and meaning of creativity and creative thinking, and to consider the implications of those definitions for assessment. The…

Discussing the established legislation and background behind the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, this document outlines reading test specifications for third and fifth grade. It gives specifications for grades three and five on Reading Passages, Readability, Test Conditions, and Test Forms. Two sections are devoted to details for each grade…