Rebuts the article on minimum competency testing by Diana Pullin in the September 1981 "Kappan." Argues that the competency testing program in Florida is a powerful force for motivating improvement. (Author/WD)

Extrapolates some general guidelines for current classroom practice from Booker T. Washington's contributions to the theory and practice of education. (Author/WD)

A kindergarten teacher in the Orange County (Florida) school system has established the constitutional right to breast-feed her baby. The author concludes that policy directives should be narrowly drawn to further important educational interests, which should result in sounder policies and reduced litigation. (WD)

Reviews a recent book, "Ethnic and Political Nations in Europe" by Jaroslav Krejci and Vitezslav Velimsky, which analyzes established domestic minorities in Europe. Includes a discussion on language education and minority languages. (WD)

At the College Learning Laboratory in Buffalo (New York), all students, faculty, and visitors must wear identification badges at all times. Worthy students are recommended to the school's director for "licensing" and receive a strip of red tape to attach to their badges, which permits them greater freedom of movement. (Author/WD)

Describes a program to improve the writing skills of graduate students in education at the University of Southern Mississippi. (WD)

Telephone interviews with 1977-79 graduates in elementary education from the State University of New York at Cortland revealed that between 32 and 42 percent of the graduates in each year had obtained full-time teaching positions. (Author/WD)

The National Institute of Education's hearings on minimum competency testing sought to educate the public about both sides of the issue. This article summarizes the ground rules for the hearings and the five points of inquiry debated. (WD)

Argues for the value of high-quality minimum competency testing (MCT) programs in efforts to restore honesty to public school promotion practices. Lists the seven characteristics of a good program and discusses the effects of MCT on students, on curriculum and teaching, and on public perceptions of schooling. (Author/WD)

Argues against using results of minimum competency testing (MCT) as the sole determinant of student classification, promotion, or condition for graduation from high school. Favors accountability, but asserts that MCT is not the best alternative available. (WD)

Addresses both the issues raised by the recent trial in Sacramento (California), "Scopes II," which pitted evolution against scientific creationism, and the questions that stem from the trial's failure to address those issues. (Author/WD)

Discusses the complaint that led to the case of Seagraves et al. versus State of California et al., the "anti-dogmatism" policy adopted by the California state board of education in 1972, and the outcome of the trial. (WD)

This conclusion to a two-part series begun in the September 1981 issue of "Phi Delta Kappan" explores the policy implications of economic decline, the relationship of schools to the whole of society, strategies for response to the New Austerity, and the type of leadership now called for. (Author/WD)

To determine whether academically able teachers are more likely than others to leave the classroom, a study was conducted of the data file of all certified regular classroom teachers who entered teaching in North Carolina from 1973 to 1980 and had no prior teaching experience. (Author/WD)

A study of the 1980 graduating class of teachers at North Texas State University revealed that academic criteria played no significant role in the job-hunting experiences of those students. The author urges school districts to rely on academic competence rather than standardized tests in hiring new teachers. (Author/WD)