Research was conducted into the specific characteristics of brief, impromptu essay writing. A random sample of 806 essays was taken from the more than 80,000 written for the College Board's English Composition Achievement Test (ECT) in 1979. Using a special taxonomy of 20 writing characteristics, these essays were subjected to a second reading in…

Multiple matrix sampling (MMS) theory indicates how data may be gathered to most efficiently convey information about levels of attainment in a population, but standard analyses of these data require random sampling of items from a fixed pool of items. This assumption proscribes the retirement of flawed or obsolete items from the pool as well as…

The guide discusses conducting a needs assessment of Title IV Indian Education Act projects. Materials to be used in a workshop presentation are provided, i.e., a chart depicting project design built on accurate needs; a list of eight steps on how to conduct a needs assessment; a list of seven steps to needs assessment (whom, what, how, etc.);…

To facilitate the secondary analysis of citizenship and social studies data collected by the National Assessment for Educational Progress, this project constructed a set of three consolidated data archives and provided a simplified documentation system for users. The three consolidated files produced were (1) the 1971-72 Social Studies Assessment,…

A review is provided of "Literacy in the Open-Access College," by Richardson, Fisk, and Okum, from the perspective of community college practitioners involved in curriculum reform. First, introductory information is presented about "Literacy in the Open-Access College," an analysis based on a 3-year ethnographic study of a…

Acknowledging the need for objective evaluation of the focus and organization of the basic speech communication course, this paper reviews the progress of the basic course by tracing its changes and development. The first portion of the paper discusses the evolution of the basic course from the 1950s to the present, giving specific attention to…

The Stanford Achievement Test (SAT), Test of Academic Skills Level I was administered to 10,186 tenth grade students in Hawaii during fall 1984. This two-section report presents findings from the SAT's mathematics subtest. This subtest measured students' competency in these nine areas: numbers, symbols, and sets; number properties and operations…

The Stanford Achievement Test (SAT), Intermediate Level II, was administered to 11,077 sixth grade students during fall 1984. This two-section report presents findings of the SAT's three mathematics subtests. These subtests measured competency related to: (1) mathematics concepts (number, notation, operations, and geometry/measurement), (2)…

A Task Force of developmental education professionals in New York was convened to consider issues related to the evaluation of developmental programs from a statewide perspective. This report provides a summary of the two Task Force sessions and resulting recommendations and plans for action. Introductory material provides background on the…

Since acceptable writing is essential to success in job training programs and in many entry-level jobs, a writing sample was included in the Training and Employment Prerequisites Survey, a multiple-choice test about skills like mechanics, usage, and spelling. The two writing prompts asked students to give directions for finding a location in a…

Intended for students taking the Grade 3 Language Arts Achievement Test in Alberta, Canada, this booklet contains the writing portion of the test, which requires the student to write an imaginative composition in response to a brief passage. The booklet contains space both for planning the composition and for writing the finished work. (EL)

This study evaluates a subjective performance-evaluation regime in place in the English public school system since the early 1990s. Under this regime, independent inspectors visit schools, assess schools' performance, and disclose their findings on the Internet. Inspectors combine hard metrics, such as test scores, with softer ones, such as…

This document can be used by school personnel as a tool in making an evaluation of the school health education program. The results of such an evaluation reveal strengths and weaknesses, and school personnel may utilize these data to determine steps to strengthen the health education program. The criteria are expressed in terms of desirable…

The State of Florida has, for several years, been committed to perfecting a workable system of accountability for the public schools. The Florida Statewide Assessment Program, begun in 1971, has been an important element in this accountability effort. The Program was designed to assess students' academic strengths and weaknesses, particularly in…