James Madison University has used dedicated Assessment Days for more than 30 years to collect longitudinal data on student learning outcomes. Our model ensures all incoming students are tested twice: once before beginning classes and again after accumulating 45-70 credit hours. Although each student completes only four instruments during a 2-hour…

In the 21st century economic landscape, many argue the importance of a college degree, as entry into many occupations now requires advanced credentials. Pursuing a college degree costs time and money, often presenting barriers to those pursuing the dream. Prior learning assessment (PLA) offers a solution to spend less time and money earning a…

This article describes the creation of the Master of Science of Computer Science and Information Systems at University of North Carolina Wilmington. The creation of this graduate degree was funded by the Sloan Foundation as a new type of program, the Professional Master's. The program was designed with significant industry input, and is truly…

The bibliography contains entries for approximately 150 books, articles (one in French), symposia, monographs, ERIC documents, reports, handbooks, manuals, dissertations, and unpublished papers dealing with the implementation and management of individualized and personalized educational programs. Most of the works listed were published since 1971;…

This paper notes problems with assessment of giftedness; outlines goals of educational programs for the gifted; discusses three program content options (intensified core curriculum, qualitatively different curriculum, and specific intellectual training); and lists three program organization options (triad, autonomous learner, and integrated…

Although successful by some standards, the basic writing program at Ball State University, Indiana, was altered over a period of several years because it was making incompatible demands on teachers and students alike. Public perception of the course allowed teachers some flexibility in writing instruction, but it demanded instruction in grammar…

Background information and guidelines are provided for the development of cooperative education programs for real estate industry personnel. The first section outlines the operation of cooperative education programs and presents two organizational plans: the alternating plan, where students attend class full-time and work full-time during…

Six presentations and a discussion summary are included from a 1981 symposium on educating handicapped infants. N. Johnson, "Assessment in Infant Education: Paradigms and Problems," notes shortcomings in current assessment approaches and addresses the importance of diagnosis, identification of educational goals, and evaluation of child…

The purpose of this Massachusetts Department of Education document is to create an awareness of, and to provide information about, adult high school credentialing programs based upon assessment of skills, which augment existing ways to earn a high school diploma. It is intended for staffs of adult learning centers, adult education programs, CETA…

This program guide for physical education program improvement and development is designed to offer options for organization, program content, resources, teaching methodologies, and evaluation, consistent with efforts of individualizing and humanizing education. Topics considered include: legal mandates and philosophy; public relations;…

This book highlights 10 preschool education programs for children with autism, focusing on each program's structure and content, diagnosis and assessment, staffing and administration, curriculum, integration, use of aversive behavior modification techniques, family involvement, and outcomes. The book consists of 11 chapters, the first of which is…

This report presents many of the typical questions with which college deans of instruction will be confronted in planning a competency-based technical education (CBTE) system. Under each of 10 major questions that explore the issues of CBTE, a number of more specific questions are listed. The 10 major questions concern the overall approach,…

This handbook provides guidelines for designing and establishing a vocational assessment center to address the special needs of educationally disadvantaged adults. Section I contains introductory comments on the problem of undereducated and underemployed adults and SAC's efforts to develop an assessment and advisement process specifically for this…

Presented in the second of two volumes are support packages designed to assist Oregon school districts in complying with P.L. 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) in developing special education programs. The volume is divided into six sections: preliminary steps, screening, referral, multi-disciplinary assessment, individualized…

A rationale for early childhood and parent involvement programs is provided in this volume, along with guidelines and examples of how to proceed. Each of its nine chapters includes a bibliography. Chapter 1, "Rationale for Early Intervention," examines such topics as the importance of the early years, teaching parents to intervene, and…