Monitoring educational change is seen as a critical problem for regional accrediting commissions. The response by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association to the problem is described, and procedures to validate educational quality in off-campus programs and sequential evaluation are discussed. (MLW)

A long-range plan to evaluate medical students' physical examination skills was undertaken at the Ingham Family Medical Clinic at Michigan State University. The development of the psychomotor skills evaluation model to evaluate the skill of blood pressure measurement, tests of the model's reliability, and the use of the model are described. (JMD)

Discusses academic library funding and suggests the use of management techniques by instructional librarians for developing new curriculum. Topics include techniques of instructional administration; collaboration between instructional librarians and faculty; needs assessment; strategic planning; pilot projects; implementation and evaluation; and…

Describes how the Michigan City Area Schools adopted a consultation model for identifying preschoolers with disabilities. Under the model, when teachers observe children with learning or behavior problems, they refer them to school counselors. It is then determined if they would benefit from the model's collaborative, multidisciplinary team…

This article discusses how four direct observational principles have contributed to the development of assessment and tutoring strategies for individuals in English and Maori language reading tutoring programs. The assessment strategies generated from observations of reader and tutor interaction have provided strong support for learning to read in…

The Transition Checklist was developed to compare characteristics of mainstream settings with performance levels of students entering those settings. The checklist assesses classroom instructional methods and materials, course content, evaluation techniques, and classroom management; interpersonal/social relations; and related school environments,…

An annotated list cites reports, books, and other resources for institutional research into campus diversity. It includes studies undertaken by individual institutions, often including assessment instruments, organizational resources, books and articles, and electronic mail lists. (MSE)

Three methods of designating everyday-dysfunction cases in the Colorado Social Health Survey are compared for a sample of 4,745 adults. The clinical judgment approach was chosen as the primary method of identification, with the statistical deviation criterion a backup. The patient criterion group approach was less useful. (SLD)

Discussion of California State University's development of alternative education delivery models using digital technology focuses on use of the EmbARK database. Highlights include declining financial resources; EmbARK's cataloging and management portion and the public access portion; student software testing; and collaboration between higher…

Development and validation of the Ethical Climate Index, designed to measure perceived ethical climate of an institution's graduate and professional school programs, is described. The instrument was found to be valid and reliable, and variability was found in student perceptions of ethical climate across major academic areas. Research needs are…

Maintains that the justification for using standardized achievement tests for children below grade three is questionable, and proposes the adoption of performance assessment that documents activities in which children engage on a daily basis. Explains the Work Sampling System, a performance assessment system that involves developmental checklists,…

Highlights lessons learned by a national organization, the Council of Chief State School Officers, in building an education indicator system in cooperation with federal and state education agencies. Issues emphasized are (1) the role of consensus; (2) production of indicators through a cooperative data system; and (3) reporting methods. (SLD)

This paper reviews difficulties in assessing students from linguistic and ethnic minority groups in Ontario (Canada), noting problems with assessment instruments and disproportionate numbers of minority children referred to special education, and describing alternative approaches used in North York which emphasize capitalizing on the first…

Examines issues in the assessment of the special educational needs of children for whom English is a second language, and identifies notions that actually prevent good practices. Urges more attainable practices that focus assessment on the learning environment, including the "where,""with whom,""from whom,""when,""what," and "how" of the child's…

While evaluation of higher education in different countries shares many features, it is subject to range of interpretations and operational procedures. This variation is evident in the use made of external experts, the role played by various stakeholders, and the scope and level of evaluation. Pilot assessment projects in Europe are noted, and the…