This paper reviews the literature on educational reform, especially in relation to special education and students with disabilities. It reviews 10 reports published since 1983 that identified issues in educational reform. Observations include: regular education reformers have not adequately addressed the issues of students with disabilities;…

The impact of large-scale testing on curriculum policies at district and school levels and on science teaching at the classroom level was studied for British Columbia (Canada). Other factors affecting teaching practices were considered. In 1983, the Province reintroduced centrally set and graded province-wide examinations for grade 12, following a…

The mandated minimum competency programs of two states--Pennsylvania and Maryland--are examined, and some of the effects on school districts of raising the testing stakes are reviewed. In a survey conducted during the winter of 1986-87 in Pennsylvania and Maryland, one teacher, one principal, and one central office staff member each from 277…

An overview of the nature, benefits, and steps involved in Colorado's Guaranteed Graduate Program, a process that assures that high school graduates have the knowledge and skills considered essential for entry into employment and postsecondary education, begins this document. A discussion of the portfolio process follows, along with descriptions…

This research examined the results from direct and indirect writing assessments to determine the most effective method of discrimination. The New Jersey State Department of Education developed a test for ninth-grade students which was designed to measure the ability to apply writing mechanics to written text and to communicate effectively in…

This document reports the findings of a study designed to identify vocational education cross-credit offerings in Connecticut's comprehensive high schools; the policies and procedures regarding cross-credit courses there; and exemplary vocational education cross-credit courses in the state. An introduction describes a survey conducted late in 1988…

This document is the annual report on the South Carolina Basic Skills Assessment Program (BSAP) established by legislation in 1978. In 1988, the tests and the monitoring of the instructional components were completed on time. The tests include: (1) first grade readiness; (2) tests for grades 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8; and (3) the Exit Examination required…

The effects of higher requirements for high school graduation on patterns of participation in secondary education among high school graduates and different patterns of course-taking among college-bound and non-college-bound students from 1969 to 1987 were studied. Data sets were from four national studies on high school students: (1) the…

This report by the Texas State Board of Education to the 70th Legislature outlines reform legislation established in response to the call for school reform, specifically examining the components and implementation of a well-balanced basic curriculum in public schools. A reproduction of Section 21.101 of the Texas Education Code is supplied,…

High school educators and students appear to have struck an implicit "bargain" that results in a deemphassis on academic learning. This book analyzes current proposals to enhance educational standards in light of the influence of this bargaining in classrooms. In so doing, it explores recent scholarship bearing on personal relations and…

This booklet describes a number of activities initiated in the State of New Jersey to improve academic standards and to help teachers prepare their students for taking New Jersey's High School Proficiency Test (HSPT). The HSPT, administered to all public school ninth graders, is more demanding than the previously used Minimum Basic Skills Test.…

This guide intended for local school districts discusses the implementation of New Jersey's Special Review Assessment (SRA) process which provides high school students with the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of basic skills by an assessment method other than the statewide graduation test. The process is required for eleventh graders who…

The paper discusses the choice of world history as a foundation course in the liberal arts college at Denison University, Ohio. It discusses why world history was chosen as a required course over the standard, introductory course, Western Civilization, compulsory in the 1960s. It also describes the kind and design of the world history course…

A project was conducted to evaluate a proposed interior design program in order to determine the marketability (job availability in the field of interior design and home furnishings merchandising) and the feasibility (educational requirements for entrance into the interior design and home furnishings merchandising job market) of the program. To…

The document contains the third annual update of a longitudinal study on the implementation of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, by 16 local education agencies (LEAs). An introductory chapter outlines the content of the report and the study design. Section II describes implementation of P.L. 94-142 in 16 special…