Essentially, the goal of the P-16 educational process is to teach students to become self-determined adults. Unfortunately, educational systems sometimes fail in addressing these factors and in educating students with various disabilities in the area of self-determination. In this article, the authors present the major findings that emerged from…

This book presents the results and implications of a major new national study exploring the effects of institutional racial composition on African American students' development and their educational outcomes, taking into account individuals' background characteristics, their perceptions of the institutional environment, and their experiences in…

Psychology seniors at a Midwest university reflected on the student learning outcomes (SLOs) for the major. This study examined the relations among students' perceived usefulness of the SLOs, measures of learning, ratings of self-confidence in their knowledge of psychology, and evaluations of the department's helpfulness in students' skill…

Suggests that accountability in religious education is limited to the attainment of precise agreed-upon objectives. Recommends that students participate in the process of specifying objectives and that teachers state objectives in terms of measurable student outcomes. (DMM)

The questions of purposes and methods as related to assessment of student learning are considered. It is difficult to find assessment invoked without a parallel call for improvement, particularly improved teaching and learning. Also, much attention has focused on problematic dimensions of measuring what students learn, but the fundamental set of…

Solutions to problems in education usually focus on specific issues rather than developing a position on what education is about. A description of characteristics of the kind of education schools should provide for children is offered. The school environment, especially the classroom, is the source of educational improvement. (DF)

Discusses the connection between economics and decision making in everyday life. Compares basic economic concepts such as choices, scarcity, opportunity costs, indirect costs, and decision making to the choices that students make in their personal lives. Maintains that through the study of economics, students can become responsible decision…

This paper discusses moral development as an integral part of the educational process and development of college students. The paper's first section places the concept of development within a network of meaning that indicates "ethical development" to be redundant; i.e., if something enhances development, it is ethical, and if it is ethical, it…

Prior to a curriculum unit on European exploration of the New World, a class of fifth grade U.S. history students stated what they knew (or thought was true) about the discovery of America and what they wanted to learn about it. After the unit, they reported what they had learned about the general topic of European exploration of North America. In…

Reviews theory and research on the relationship between classroom climate and citizenship outcomes in elementary settings. Compares democratic learning environments described by three studies. Suggests that free expression, peer interaction in cooperative activities, respect for diverse viewpoints, and student participation in decision making…

The study that is the subject of this document focused on how fifth-graders' knowledge and thinking about the westward expansion of the pre-Civil War United States was affected by students' participation in a curriculum unit on the topic. A stratified sample of 10 students was interviewed before and after they participated in the unit to…

Designed specifically for higher education administrators, faculty, and student affairs professionals, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the principles, purposes, practices and uses of assessment, with particular emphasis on student learning and development. Nine chapters present and discuss a series of assessment steps: Chapter 1…

Prior to a curriculum unit on Native Americans in a U.S. history course, three classes of fifth graders stated what they knew or believed they knew about these people and what they wanted to learn about them. After the unit, they reported what they had learned. In addition, a stratified sample of 10 students was interviewed concerning the details…

A multifaceted assessment process used at a women's college (Alverno) allows the development of each student to be observed and improved as she moves through the curriculum. A corresponding evaluation process allows the curriculum content to be validated against external, real-world standards. (Author/MSE)

Analyzes the separate effects of father absence and mother absence on the grades and standardized test scores of high school students. Uses parents' and students' behavior and family economic status as competing intervening variables to explain the effects. Concludes that students from single-parent homes are less willing or able to meet academic…