Asserts that self-discipline, the outgrowth of structure in schools, is a much more important factor in effective education than is often argued. Reconstruction of American schools will require awareness and analysis of schools as a set of experiences, a system of rewards and punishment, and as a structure. (JOW)

Tested the writing and speaking performance of students before and after the completion of one semester of rhetoric instruction. Confirmed that changes in students' writing and speaking skills can be reliably measured using the American College Testing Program's College Outcome Measures Project (COMP) Speaking and Writing Assessments. (PD)

Reports the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in the areas of reading, writing, and literature. (JL)

Outlines the strategic (i.e., demographic, economic, political, social, and technological) conditions that influence resource allocations to community colleges. Argues that assessment of these conditions as well as of the outcomes and benefits of college programs are critical to improving the colleges' funding base. (DMM)

Suggests that many of the forces which are resulting in declining enrollments in history courses originate outside the discipline and will not be affected much by remedies attempted by historians. The essay also argues that traditional historical practice will survive the current crisis if its unique identity, values, and functions are reaffirmed.…

Presents highlights from a paper which was delivered at a seminar concerned with science education in elementary schools. The specific focus of the seminar was the possibility of developing process skills through the teaching of science in elementary schools, the means of assessing such skills, and the implications of so doing for teacher training…

Outlines the steps the Nashua (New Hampshire) school district planning team used in making an evaluation of all programs. Summarizes the results of the evaluation and explains how these will be used in the district's long-range planning efforts. (MLF)

Summarizes the findings reported in the final volume of an eight-volume series sponsored by the National Science Foundation that deal with the key elements responsible for influencing and shaping science, mathematics, and social studies education at the precollege level. (CS)

This report describes the first two stages of the National Assessment project: gathering data on cooperative education objectives and developing tests for assessing learning outcomes of work experience programs. Problems in the measurement of experiential learning are also discussed. (SK)

Students (37) and graduates (108) responded to 567 questionnaires sent seeking impressions of the Lorado Taft Field campus' (Northern Illinois University) outdoor teacher education (OTE) program. The survey sought personal information, evaluations of achievement of OTE program goals and objectives, impact of program on students, and new directions…

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey, the article discusses a study to compare effects of high school tracking in two versions of a status-attainment model--one using students' track perceptions and the other using their actual tracks (taken from school records). Findings indicated that students often misperceive their tracks.…

A research project attempted to measure student teacher proficiency by assessing the cognitive attainments of students. Findings reveal that variation in learner cognitive attainment does occur among student teachers and that this appears to be related to the professional preparation of teacher candidates. (JN)

An annotated bibliography concerning proficiency development in schools identifies sources which focus on the identification and development of basic skills. Topics explored include: (1) issues and definition in proficiency development; (2) assessing the state of proficiency development; and (3) instructional techniques and programs. (JN)

In the past, faculty evaluation programs have been more often prone to failure than success. Characteristics of a successful program include: (1) deciding the system's purpose; (2) seeking solid administrative support; (3) securing faculty involvement; (4) overcoming faculty resistance; (5) selecting the evaluation instruments; and (6) obtaining…

Assesses the role of the larger social system in determining policies and objectives of the educational system in the United States, Great Britain, and West Germany. Emphasizes the role of social/political education in trying to relate to recent economic trends such as the economic boom of the 1950s and 1960s and the economic crisis of the 1970s.…