The author briefly surveys the movement towards minimum competencies for secondary-education graduates and points out the danger of confusing the term "minimum competency" with "minimum requirements." (MJB)

Describes the Florida Educational Accountability Act of 1976. The purpose of the act is to validate the high school diploma, thereby improving the quality of public education and eliminating the continued need for social promotion. (Author/MLF)

The author advises a cautious return to the basics through making sure that teachers in all disciplines emphasize basic skills. He cautions against curtailing variety in curriculum as a way of going back to basics. (DS)

Although competency-based graduation programs possess an intuitive appeal because of their clearly specified outcomes, external evaluation provision, and quality control mechanisms, they do pose a number of student evaluation problems which have rarely been encountered in American education. This discussion is concerned with such problems. (Author)

Before 1949, education was largely ignored in China, but recently it has been given a priority almost equal to modern industrialization. Teacher education reforms have been extensive and varied. These reforms are described, and further challenges are outlined. (MT)

Describes initiatives undertaken in Ohio vocational education in response to changes in state standards for high school graduation and college admission and the need for improvement in basic skills. (SK)

It is proposed that high school diplomas be awarded based on specific competencies in broad subject areas (e.g., academic, business, fine arts, service, and technical skills), and that required coursework be developed in each competency area, defined by the school district, and combined with general education in the curriculum. (MSE)

Argues for more foreign language instruction in American schools. (FL)

Samples of handicapped and nonhandicapped pupils were compared on the following: initial Minimum Competency Test (MCT) performance, participation in remediation, improvements in subsequent MCT, and eligibility for receiving high school diplomas. Nonhandicapped pupils generally fared better on all measures, although sharp differences were found…

Considerable concern is focused today on whether the twelfth grade program meets the needs of today's students. Cites some reasons for the concern and some actions that can be taken to overcome it. (Editor)

Along with assessing the value of a program, evaluations should aid in decision making, support change management, and improve processes. For an evaluation to effect change, three conditions should occur: informing, collaborating, and mixing. The evaluation of a Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduation requirement that students complete a…

In Swindon, England, students who are leaving school to find jobs must compile a Record of Personal Achievement", listing things they are proud of having done; the record is used in employment interviews. (SP)

Reviews the history of college entrance requirements. The Carnegie Foundation was the first organization to develop definite educational standards, to define a high school, and to separate high school from college curricula. (WD)

Critizes the Norm Book for French Final (Abitur) Examination 1975 for German Schools, as to its arrangement and some resulting difficulties; also for its over-emphasis on written work over speaking. Additional publications are needed to make the existing requirements more specific. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Studied the extent to which the requirement that students complete three credits in mathematics and science was implemented in schools using a nationally representative sample from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1998. Evidence indicates that schools do not strictly enforce this policy. Increasing the number of credits students earn…