Discussion of using Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to read electronic text focuses on a study that evaluated the use of PDAs for reading course materials in an Open University (United Kingdom) master's course. Considers activity theory and how the PDA changed reading, including portability, screen display, navigation difficulties, and…

A study evaluated the relationship of teacher nomination instruments to later performance of 121 students from low-income backgrounds in a gifted program. Results indicate nominations based on thinking abilities, general gifted behaviors, and special learning skills were related to later performance on creativity, group skills, and language…

Discusses advancements in multimedia technology, and presents a design model for managing interactive multimedia courseware production that includes five phases: analysis, development, production, evaluation, and implementation. Five examples of interactive multimedia courseware are described. (Author/LRW)

Provides an overview of information policy issues which affect federal Web sites and introduces assessment techniques which federal site designers and administrators could use to evaluate the design and management of their Web-based information resources. Two tables depict selected Website assessment sources and criteria for evaluation.…

System-wide assessment in higher education can be influenced by political issues, which are in turn preoccupied with market forces and technological development. This generates a climate inimical to ethical quality and conflicts with academic work. If academic work is to make its best contribution to society, administration must move beyond…

A "policy communities" framework is proposed to explain why three evaluations of home care and services for the elderly in Quebec (Canada) either influenced, or failed to influence, policymaking in the area. It is suggested that program evaluation strategies should reflect the political context of the evaluation. (SLD)

Evaluated the Language Arts program in the primary division of a large urban school district (48 schools) using multiple sources of data, including interviews with 12 principals and 12 teacher librarians, observations in 56 classes, and surveys completed by 261 students, 194 parents, and 166 teachers. Evidence reveals limitations in the planning…

A study analyzed attribution statements of six community workers who provide risk management for men with mental retardation who sexually offend. Results highlight the effort participants made to obtain sufficient information. They focused on external factors for most effective risk management, but other staff undermined their confidence.…

Problems associated with evaluating the restructured curriculum and educational system implemented in Kenya in 1985 are reviewed. Most of the problems center around time constraints and the large numbers of students versus the small numbers of teachers and administrators. (SLD)

Results of a 2-year study concerning the use of student academic performance and student attitudes toward learning as components of teacher evaluation systems are summarized. Participants included 200 Career Ladder teachers in Tennessee (CLTTs) evaluated in 1985-86 and 206 CLTTs evaluated in 1986-87. Implications for teacher evaluation are…

Presents a systematic plan for developing a district-wide approach to computer based instruction (CBI) for local education agencies (LEAs). Topics discussed include establishing a computer committee to help with planning; identifying goals and objectives; implementation strategies; personnel; equipment purchases; courseware selection; staff…

Describes the development of an instrument to measure the perceptions of secondary school and community college administrators regarding the status and desirability of articulation between their institutions. Includes the questionnaire. (DMM)

Reviews the reasons for conducting institutional assessments regardless of college size. Identifies the elements of institutional effectiveness and translates them into six questions with quantifiable answers, which when tallied produce an overall assessment of program effectiveness. (DMM)

Presents principles for devising and using developmentally appropriate procedures for assessing young children's reading and writing. Contends that informal observations and structured performance sample assessments are more appropriate than standardized tests. Offers specific examples of assessments of several aspects of literacy development. (RH)

The article discusses the problems that prevent secondary school physical education teachers from using the theoretically sound pupil assessment practices that are taught in professional preparation courses. It suggests that teacher education programs must focus on making pupil assessment a priority throughout the program and instruct teachers on…