During the 1985-86 school year, an evaluation plan utilizing standardized norm-referenced test information was initiated within the Wichita Public School System in Kansas. The plan had four identifiable factors: (1) a growth measurement concept; (2) a simplified computation process; (3) a means of integration of growth measurement within user…

State legislatures and others are recommending and, in some cases, mandating reforms in education including evaluating students' ability to meet stated objectives. This "ideal" situation poses a major problem concerning instruments needed to assess process skills. In the real world, educators do not yet have nationally recognized, valid,…

Definitions, issues, and concerns in efforts to document the quality and outcomes of undergraduate education are reviewed, and the University of Arizona assessment model is summarized to illustrate a comprehensive assessment plan suitable for a research university. The Arizona model is adapted to architectural education, and the special…

The final report from the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation's (COPA) Self-Study Advisory Panel on its review of COPA's objectives, priorities, governance, and financing is presented. Following a letter from the Chairman of the self-study advisory panel, a panel membership list, and a charge to the panel and overview of the study, six chapters…

Plans for program assessment within the various units of the University System of Georgia are presented. The Subcommittee on Academic Degree Program Assessment believed the University System of Georgia should encourage and support a sustained effort to assess academic programs resulting in baccalaureate degrees, that the implementation of program…

The impact of the general education program on students at Trenton State College (New Jersey), was assessed using the American College Measurement Program (COMP) from the American College Testing program and from Tests of General Education (TGE) from the Educational Testing Service. Participants included 144 freshmen, 32 seniors, and 37 transfer…

Three presentations from the Third National Conference on Assessment in Higher Education are included. In "Assessment and Human Values: Confessions of a Reformed Number Cruncher," Alexander W. Astin, focuses on measuring education productivity, assessment lessons from the Cooperative Institutional Research Program, a talent-development…

This executive summary presents key findings from the 1986 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in mathematics. It is designed to alert leaders in classrooms, families, and councils of government to the state of mathematics education in the United States. "Why Mathematics Counts" is summarized in the first section. Then,…

Helping One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) is a nationally validated Education Consolidation and Improvement Act Chapter I exemplary program adopted by 24 schools in the Portland (Oregon) School District. The HOSTS program has operated in three schools since 1979-80, 17 more since 1981-82, two more since 1982-82, and two more since 1983-84. It is…

This pilot test for ninth grade mathematics is written in both French and English. The test consists of 75 multiple-choice items. Students are given 90 minutes to complete the examination and the use of a calculator is highly recommended. The test content covers a wide range of mathematical topics including: decimals; exponents; arithmetic word…

This achievement test for ninth grade mathematics is written in both French and English. The test consists of 75 multiple-choice items. Students are given 90 minutes to complete the examination, with the use of calculators permitted. The test content covers a wide range of mathematical content including: positive and negative exponents; word…

Science core curricula for allied health students have been plagued by accreditation impediments and criticized for insufficient depth and irrelevance. Health center basic science departments are administered under various arrangements. Superimposed on this basic science organizational variety is the complexity of the colleges of allied health.…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) approach to developing assessments is described. NAEP will solicit views concerning assessment objectives and use the consensus approach. NAEP results can impact educational policy and school and classroom practices. Several policies have been adopted to provide improved information about…

The information contained in this report describes the 1982 Manitoba (Canada) Writing Assessment Program and the results of student performance on the grades 3, 6, 9, and 12 writing tests. Various sections of the report provide the following information: (1) steps in the assessment program and procedures for comparison with the 1979 assessment;…

To achieve universal primary education by the year 2000, the Sudanese government found that it would have to do substantial research into the varying local conditions affecting the implementation of national educational programs. Two steps that could help ensure the effectiveness of national efforts are (1) involving local and regional personnel…