The 1998 High School Transcript Study provides the U.S. Department of Education and other educational policymakers with information regarding current course offerings and students' course-taking patterns in U.S. secondary schools. Similar studies were conducted in 1982, 1987, 1990, and 1994. This guide documents the procedures used to collect and summarize the data. It also provides information needed to use all publicly released data files produced by the study. In previous years, the information in this technical report was reported in two documents, the Data File User's Manual and the Technical Manual. The report contains these sections: (1) "Introduction to the High School Transcript Study"; (2) "Background: Sample Design"; (3) "Selection of Primary Sampling Units, Schools, and Students for the 1998 High School Transcript Study"; (4) "Data Collection Procedures"; (5) "Data Processing Procedures"; (6) "Weighting and Estimation of Sampling Variance"; and (7) "1998 High School Transcript Study Data Files." Fifteen appendixes provide supplemental information, including the questionnaires and the code books for the study's individual files. (Contains 32 tables, 3 figures, 15 exhibits, and 16 references.) (SLD)

Lasting Change in Foreign Language Education presents a historical account of foreign language in general education. The author examines the struggle of this subject discipline to align with the changing mission of secondary education as it emerged as the predominant institution enrolling students in the study of second languages. This 100-year history suggests trends persistent across major periods of reform to explain current problems in the expansion of learning opportunities in foreign language. Included is a complete database of education statistics on foreign language education and national and state education law from 1899 to the present. Analysis of this data is presented in multiple formats to describe the historical capacity of the education system to achieve reform. A review of contemporary standards-based education initiatives in states and school districts similarly serves to reflect how historical trends continue to restrict change. Concise policy implications are suggested as a means to address historical precedence and the greater mission of general education in the development of education policy and its transformation into practice. Policy development must include a greater understanding of the historical development of foreign language in general education. This vital link has been lacking in the past century as foreign language has struggled to realign itself with the changing mission of general education. For example, there are distinct curricular differences between a general education for all students and one for leadership and higher education. Only the latter makes room for solid foreign language education. In addition, the study of foreign language has remained primarily a beginning-level endeavor for the majority of students over the past century. This trend results in significant pressure on the beginning level curriculum, particularly during periods of reform, to provide multiple academic outcomes in education.