Shares the program-evaluation strategy of Pepperdine University's restructured Educational Leadership Academy for entry-level school administrators and other school leaders. Describes the objectives, theoretical basis, and methodology of data collection used for the evaluation. Describes the democratic/collaborative process used in developing the…

This article suggests detailed steps to assist in the construction and implementation of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) to track reading progress. Information includes how to construct and organize a CBM, how to administer and score a CBM, how to use the information for instructional changes, and how to use data collected to inform parents…

Provides information about single case experimental research methodologies, and delineates a rationale for their use in certain types of reading research. (MG)

The article describes the pilot testing of a direct observation procedure for observing social interactions of mentally retarded and non-retarded workers in supported work settings. The instrument was found to be capable of assessing such interactions and was readily utilized by practitioners. (DB)

Compared accuracy of medicine use information obtained from older adults through either telephone interviews or mail questionnaires, using in-home medicine check as standard of assessment. Found validity of medicine use information to vary by data source, level of specificity of data, and respondent characteristics. Mail questionnaire was more…

The six articles of this issue discuss the place of meta-analysis in the health professions and present two state-of-the-art meta-analyses using a variety of innovative methodologies, statistics, and secondary analytic procedures. A survey conducted for this issue and its sequel explores interventions to facilitate meta-analysis. (SLD)

Includes three articles: the first presents rules and regulations from the "Federal Register" that focus on educational effectiveness in postsecondary institutions; the second discusses the appropriateness of various research methodologies for assessment and accountability of reference services; and the third examines data collection…

Discusses reasons for supporting indirect indicators to track higher education's progress in teaching critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Outlines the primary characteristics of indirect indicators. Provides specific examples of different indirect indicators, analyzing data collection methods. Assesses the viability of…

This article describes the Council of Schools for the Blind Learning Outcomes Project, which is developing a data collection infrastructure that will create relevant information based on current knowledge-management principles. The results of the first year of data collection are presented to illustrate the process. (Contains references.)…

Discusses the methodology and content of the evaluation of the Homeless Families Program. Focuses on data collection and the determination of program outcomes. Stresses the importance of stakeholder involvement and the flexibility of the evaluators as the evaluation unfolded. (SLD)

Explores what it would mean to "spread best practice" in educational measurement and considers lessons from the history of medicine and other scientific disciplines that are relevant to the development of educational theory and practice. Makes the case that these lessons point toward the use of less complex statistical tools and the collection and…

How social science theory and insight could be applied to understanding and resolving the issues surrounding misconduct in scientific research is discussed. Understanding why scientists break the norms of acceptable conduct may come when their survey responses are interpreted in the contexts of sociology and psychology. (SLD)

This article discusses effective preassessment team procedures for identifying students with special needs, including collecting comprehensive information about the student, documenting the student's problems, developing specific and detailed intervention plans, identifying support personnel to help implement the intervention plan, and…

This article describes the adaptation of the Test Battery for American Sign Language Morphology and Syntax for Australian Sign Language. Data collected from a group of native signers who were deaf (n=25) demonstrate the range of variability in key grammatical features of Australian Sign Language and raise methodological issues. (Contains…

Presents nine strategies for gathering information on training effectiveness via: telephone, e-mail, mail-in survey, postcards, online bulletin board, a visit to the human resources department, the strategic plan, focus group, and end-of-course evaluations. (AEF)