A study evaluated the use of a situational assessment for identifying work task preferences among three individuals with multiple severe disabilities. The assessment involved systematically observing indices of happiness and unhappiness while participants worked on different tasks. Work engagement was most frequent when workers worked on their…

Responds to Rubin and Knox's (1996) article concerning data analysis in single-case evaluations. Takes issue on three points: misrepresentation of single-case experimental designs, logical inconsistencies, and skewed portrayal of weaknesses existing in single case designs. Discusses possible reasons why single-case designs are often…

A study conducted demographic analyses of Maryland's early intervention data by geographic region for training implications. The data were collected from January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1995. Although there ware many areas of overlapping needs, results indicated that training needs can vary from one geographic locale to the next. (Contains…

Defines alternate assessments, describes methods used to collect data, and describes domains in which data should be collected. The results of a focus group study in which teachers delineated ways in which data might be collected using each of the methods in each of the domains is reported. (Author/CR)

Used administrative data, census data, and geographic information system technology to map and analyze the rates, distribution, and ecological correlates of child physical abuse, neglect and sexual abuse at the neighborhood level. Compared the distribution by neighborhood of three types of child abuse, and identified and compared neighborhood…

This chapter discusses the theoretical literature on why people choose to respond to a survey and reviews the latest empirical research on how survey administration and the characteristics of a survey affect response rates. (Contains 1 figure.)

The sharp rise in the HIV/AIDS burden worldwide has elicited calls for increased efforts to combat the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS. Efforts must continue with the aim to decrease new infections. At the same time, care and treatment services for those already infected can lead to longer, productive lives, thereby minimizing negative effects on…

Monitoring the learning process in computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environments is a key element for supporting the efficacy of tutor actions. This article proposes an approach for analysing learning processes in a CSCL environment to support tutors in their monitoring tasks. The approach entails tracking the interactions within…

This collection of essays explores various arts education-specific evaluation tools, as well as considers Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the inclusion of people with disabilities in the design of evaluation instruments and strategies. Prominent evaluators Donna M. Mertens, Robert Horowitz, Dennie Palmer Wolf, and Gail Burnaford are…

Operating systems theory primarily concentrates on the optimal use of computing resources. This paper presents an alternative approach to teaching and studying operating systems design and concepts by way of parametrically optimizing critical operating system functions. Detailed examples of two critical operating systems functions using the…

Charter schools are a relatively new, but fast-growing, phenomenon in American public education. As such, they merit the attention of all parties interested in the education of the nation's youth. The present report comprises two separate analyses. The first is a "combined analysis" in which hierarchical linear models (HLMs) were…

This monograph presents the findings of a multiyear study of the effectiveness of reform-oriented mathematics and science instruction. It builds on an earlier RAND study, called the Mosaic project, which found "a weak but positive relationship" between reform practices and student achievement (see Klein, Hamilton, McCaffrey, Stecher,…

Purpose: This study reviews staffing standards from the 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine if these standards are related to nursing home staffing levels. Design and Methods: Rules and regulations for states' nursing home staffing standards were obtained for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nurse staffing data were…

This book is the third in a series aiming to promote international exchange of ideas, experiences, and studies relating to technical and vocational education. Intended to assist educators in the evaluation of vocational education curricula, the guide is designed for both experienced evaluators and novices. Section I describes the purpose,…

The nine-volume Survey Kit is designed to help readers prepare and conduct surveys and become better users of survey results. All the books in the series contain instructional objectives, exercises and answers, examples of surveys in use, illustrations of survey questions, guidelines for action, checklists of "dos and don'ts," and…