This book illustrates how to ask the right questions to effectively measure professional development; understand the dynamic nature of professional development; identify what contributes to improved student learning; and demonstrate results and accountability. The evaluation processes and tools recommended in this book acknowledge that if staff…

This paper presents reports on four evaluations conducted at Bowie State University, Maryland, a historically Black university. These assessment activities provide pointers to the quality of student preparation at Bowie State University. The first evaluation strand is "Assessment of Critical Thinking Skills of Nursing Students Using a…

This fastback shows teachers and teacher educators how contextual teaching and learning (CTL) can change classrooms and teacher education programs. It introduces CTL in the classroom through the fictional Ms. Walters, a veteran classroom teacher who implements CTL strategies. The fastback examines the theories that support her instructional…

The Tennessee Board of Regents systemwide report card and individual report cards for each of the 14 community colleges are presented. The purpose of developing this report card was to respond to the public's increased calls for accountability in higher education. The report cards--47 in all, one for the system and one for each of the 46…

Since 1992, teachers in the Rosemead (California) school district, an urban district east of downtown Los Angeles, have been implementing "Different Ways of Knowing" (DWoK), an integrated interdisciplinary curriculum and teacher development program created by the Galef Institute of Los Angeles. DWoK has been implemented in the Rosemead school…

In enacting new teacher quality provisions in the Higher Education Act, Congress intended to increase clarity and consistency of public reporting about the status of teacher education programs and ensure that states establish accountability measures for teacher preparation institutions. Beginning in 2001, states must report yearly data on six…

Ready to Learn is an outreach initiative designed to increase the potential of PBS children's television programs to teach children cognitive and social skills. The program funds workshops for parents and teachers, materials supplementing children's television programs, children's book distribution, and "PBS Families" and "PBS para…

This document presents standards for educational accountability systems that represent models of practice derived from three perspectives: research knowledge, practical experience, and ethical considerations. These standards should be conceived of as targets for state and local systems and as criteria to judge proposed models of accountability…

This resource directory provides information about technical assistance resources and educational materials that can guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention education programs for school-age youth. It also includes educational materials…

The use of the Internet as an instructional tool in higher education is rapidly increasing. However, alongside the enthusiasm and creativity that generally accompany this process, essential questions regarding the learning quality and effectiveness of online courses emerge too. In order to answer these questions, a comprehensive research program…

To deliver training and continuing education for education personnel in a large rural state, Montana has decentralized its Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) by forming five regional councils. The Montana Center on Disabilities developed a statewide training program for using paraeducators as liaisons to communities to enhance…

This paper discusses strategies related to the challenge of program accountability for subject matter knowledge and competency among beginning teachers. It focuses on reaching common understandings of three key concepts (accountability, subject matter knowledge, and competence), presenting them from the perspective of the state of Florida. Florida…

This document contains four issues from volume 9 (1999-2000) of the St. Petersburg Junior College (SPJC) Office of Institutional Research Research Brief. Number 1 (September 1999), "Comparison of Faculty Adjunct Salaries in Florida Community Colleges", contains 2 tables. Table 1 shows the top five community colleges in adjunct salaries…

This paper explores the impact of school reform on learning outcomes and on the professional culture of the principalship. The report draws on findings from several research projects involving surveys and case studies in the period 1993 to 1998, with special focus on the Schools of the Future reform in Victoria, Australia. The article describes…

As part of its contract to develop a framework for continuous school improvement in its four-state region (Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia), Appalachia Educational Laboratory staff designed the Quest project. Based upon principles of inquiry, collaboration, and action research, Quest supports and investigates ongoing school…