Defining test scores as educational standards that should be raised causes more minority children to be retained. This lowers self-esteem and increases dropout rates. In some ways state regulations are intruding on local authority. Districts differ and therefore should have autonomy to set standards for achievement and teacher qualifications. (VM)

Segregation still exists in several hundred major school districts. Thus the court cases will go on for some time. Some states may want to save time and develop desegregation plans before a case is brought against them. Plans must include educational improvement and some effort to involve metropolitan areas. (VM)

Argues that rigorous assessment in the classroom is the only way to reduce outside interference in the assessment process. Sees instructors as poorly prepared to assume assessment roles, recommending an increased reliance on common examinations written by subject discipline experts. (DMM)

Offers a review of ERIC documents providing descriptions of testing programs and evaluations of student assessment programs, as well as materials focusing on assessment validity, state testing initiatives, and cohort testing. (DMM)

The use of career ladders with planned career stages and a multiple-stage performance appraisal strategy is advocated. This could restructure the teaching profession to be more compatible with the individual teacher's need for growth, recognition, and advancement. (MSE)

This article reviews the current status of school finance in California in the aftermath of Proposition 13 and the Serrano v. Priest decision (which required determination of school funding on some basis other than district property wealth). Specific trends and directions regarding reform issues of the future are identified. (TE)

Each state is accountable for the quality of its postsecondary educational program. However, most states have either delegated this responsibility to nongovernmental accrediting agencies or chosen not to exercise their full authority in this area. (MLW)

In 2001, Illinois was one of 15 states across America selected and funded by the Wallace Foundation, in cooperation with the National Council for State Legislatures, National Governors' Association, Education Commission of the States, Council of Chief State School Officers, and the National Association of State Boards of Education, to plan,…

In Texas, a financially troubled school district must submit a plan of action to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for improving its financial situation without harming the quality of education delivered. If things get worse, TEA assigns a financial monitor to advise the district on overcoming its financial problems and to determine if further…

A report sponsored by the National Association of State Boards of Education examines the equity and adequacy of school finance at the state level. The quality of education is still largely determined by where a child lives. Since 1989, more than a dozen school systems have been ruled unconstitutional by state high courts. It has been unclear who…

The Maryland Department of Education formed a panel--known as the Visionary Panel--of educators and citizens to review the record of Maryland's public schools during the 1990s and to fashion a vision to make them better. The panel was aided by seven task forces, each with a specific focus: accountability, achievement gap, assessment, leadership,…

Survey data obtained in recent audits updated Ohio's local government units' assessment of Year 2000 (Y2K) readiness. The survey was developed with three intended objectives: (1) to provide an accurate assessment of the efforts to remediate the Y2K problem in Ohio's school districts, cities and counties; (2) to identify issues that could affect…

Under this plan the State would repeal taxing power granted to school districts, and create new districts that would have elected boards. A Statewide salary scale would be created. Each district would submit budgets that would be reviewed, revised, and submitted to the legislature by the governor. Federal money would be used to supplement State…

Problems caused by teacher surpluses and shortages, particularly those resulting in out-of-field teaching assignments, should be corrected. School districts, teacher education institutions, state agencies, and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education should act to improve the situation. (PP)