The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) implemented mail registration for all continuing students in spring 1986. In fall 1986, a comprehensive evaluation of the registration system was conducted to assess the impact of mail registration on student enrollment, to determine the impact of mailing class schedules to students' homes, to…

Students in a teaching methods course evaluated a recently published basal reader to see if it conformed to guidelines for the efficacy of such materials already established by the class. A story selection was read to identify (1) essential background information, (2) text features that might cause comprehension problems (subject matter for…

In response to the New York State Board of Regents Action Plan relating to computer keyboarding skills, this guide is designed to help elementary school staff understand aspects of keyboarding and develop this important basic skill in their students. The three-part presentation begins with a discussion of the benefits of using computers in English…

This paper explores the functioning of the low-inference observation system used as part of the Tennessee Career Ladder evaluation system, which provides teachers with the opportunity to qualify for additional pay on the basis of outstanding performance. The analysis of the functioning of this form is intended to provide the basis for the ongoing…

The theory underlying qualitative research design and a specific formative evaluation study that includes qualitative methods are discussed. The focus is the data analyses methods and procedures employed in the evaluation study, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the inquiry. Qualitative research focuses on the idiographic and operates on…

This report identifies the methods and issues in the evaluation of student writing in classrooms and large scale assessments using an analytical scoring system from the Illinois Inventory of Educational Progress (IIEP). This guide is written for staff in state offices of education conducting large-scale writing assessments, and also for personnel…

A convening process was used to study the feasibility of a career ladder program for public school teachers in the District of Columbia. Eight educators from outside the system met on July 13-15, 1987, to analyze problems in the current system concerning: (1) the need to compete for quality teachers; (2) making career opportunities available; (3)…

Microcomputer software can provide excellent drill and practice, simulations, and problem-solving. Yet, software developers often have designed elaborate graphics and unique characters in lieu of sound instructional programming. Many instructional programs for learning-disabled students do not provide appropriate reading levels, the opportunity to…

A cafeteria-style approach for evaluating primary grade programs in a large metropolitan school district is described. This evaluation approach involved planning between one and four evaluation options for each of 17 program options available to the district's 70 elementary schools. About 20,000 kindergarten through grade 3 students were enrolled…

The proceedings from six Public Service Satellite Consortium audioconferences conducted in 1988 provide information on preparing teachers and students for teaching and learning at a distance; costs and benefits of distance education; secrets to success and pitfalls to avoid; technological innovations; international trends; and methods for…

Curriculum mapping activities can be useful in analyzing curriculum goals and planning curriculum revision. This document is specifically designed using the Science Education Curriculum Goals articulated by the State of Oregon for grade 3. The goal areas include concepts, processing, manipulative skills, interests, values, interactions and…

The purpose of this report is to provide a detailed description of the instruments and data used in the Sustaining Effects Study, a large study of the nature, quantity, environment, generality, and sustained effects of compensatory education on basic skills. Each instrument is introduced, the items comprising it are described in detail, and, to…

Monitoring the effectiveness of reading education is central to the appraisal of the productivity of schooling, yet most measures currently being used do not take into account the full range of processes which lead to successful reading education. A model of indicators relevant to reading education (outcome, process, and input) can be used to…

Many of the educational reform measures proposed during the last several years focus primarily on assessing students and teachers and increasing student and teacher standards. This paper offers a summary of the role of assessment in enhancing the quality of administrators. A well thought out, coordinated system of administrator assessments is…

This set of materials assembled by the Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) contains seven examples of general use surveys and eight examples of user surveys on specific topics from a group of major research libraries. Among the items included are (1) a final report on a library user survey…