The present organization and structure of teacher education institutions in the Netherlands is described, and the content of programs to train teachers of modern languages is outlined. Educational changes which took place during the past decade are described, and plans for future innovations are discussed. (Author/PP)

A judicial decision on issues raised by state diploma denial found that competency testing of Florida's high school students as a graduation requirement violated due process by not providing students with adequate notice. The court prescribed some degree of curricular validity to determine whether the test covered materials actually taught.…

Presents a case-study of the role of educational professionals in the passage of California's mandatory graduation competency legislation. Findings showed that the bill was noncontroversial despite its implications. Professional educators and scholars played a limited role in its formation. (AM)

In addition to stigmatizing and prejudicing the future of young people, the denial of a high school diploma based on test scores represents a waste of public funds and human resources. In recent years, however, the educational system has been increasingly concerned with testing school children rather than teaching them. (Author/GC

Despite demonstrated success of a graduation competency testing policy in Tatnall County (Georgia), a judge ruled that the policy violated due process because the school district could not show that the items on the test were actually taught in the schools. (WD)

Examines the possibility of legal challenges to minimum competency tests on the grounds that they violate freedom of expression (including the right to remain silent), privacy, and substantive due process guarantees. Available from the Catholic University Law Review, Catholic University of America School of Law, Room 1 Washington, D.C. 20064; sc…

College diplomas are seen as not necessarily representing academic achievement, but the fact that a student has sat through enough courses to accumulate sufficient credits for graduation. A case is made for 10 measures of achievement to serve as a basis for graduation. (Article originally published in 1937.) (AF)

This paper attempts to assess the validity of employers' complaints about the mathematical shortcomings of school leavers and discusses implications of the findings. (MK)

Within the next decade it will be the rare school system which does not provide flexible graduation programs for all students. Describes initial attempts to develop early graduation and current research on opinions about its effectiveness as well as school policy on its practice. (Author/RK)

Comparison of state graduation requirements found significant differences in the exit documents awarded to students with disabilities, with similar requirements sometimes earning different types of exit documents in different states. It was also found that 44 states use Carnegie course unit requirements and 17 states have minimum competency…

Provides data on the availability of and enrollment in public alternative schools and programs for at-risk students, entrance and exit criteria, staffing, curriculum services, and collaboration. Findings are based on a questionnaire completed by representatives of 1,534 public school districts. Part of the Fast Response Survey System. (SLD)

Discusses the difficulty in providing general music education for all high school students. Examines teacher resistance to such courses and negative student attitudes towards any required course. Argues that such education is valuable in that its purpose is to refine the aural perceptions and musical curiosity of all students. (GEA)

Discusses ways in which instrumental music teachers can benefit from teaching nonperformance classes and the reasons why these teachers are a natural choice for the job. Examines specific competencies of instrumental music teachers, suggesting ways they can be put to work in nonperformance classes. (GEA)

Describes a college reform effort that includes the development of a college science course for nonscience majors. The main goal of the course is to advocate the interdisciplinary nature of all sciences and to involve the students actively in the discovery process as a way of learning science. (ZWH)

Both legal and psychometric principles suggest that testing accommodations for mental disabilities require additional analyses beyond that previously provided for physical disabilities. Examines legal precedents and psychometric standards. Concentrates on testing-accommodation requests for mental disabilities and concerns about test validity. (173…