Preparing the final report for an evaluation project often involves preparation of lengthy tables. To prevent persons from having to retype the data already in a mainframe file and then verify the data, the Evaluation and Assessment Laboratory of the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) uses a simple procedure that entails: (1) formatting the output…

This paper lists practices recommended by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood concerning service delivery models in early intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) programs for infants and young children with special needs and their families. An introductory section discusses five principles that…

This paper lists practices recommended by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood concerning the promotion of social skills and emotional development in early intervention and early childhood special education programs for infants and young children with special needs and their families. An introductory section points…

This paper lists practices recommended by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood concerning the promotion of motor skills in early intervention and early childhood special education programs for infants and young children with special needs and their families. An introductory section examines the importance of motor…

As part of an effort to develop strategies for measuring institutional effectiveness, a study was conducted at West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVU-P), a two-year institution with an enrollment of nearly 4,000 students, to determine the most appropriate instrument for measuring gains in general education between incoming freshman (i.e.,…

This study examined the problem-solving and decision-making concepts included in the Consumer and Homemaking curricula in Illinois. Data were taken from a larger study, "Evaluating Program Outcomes: Occupation of Homemaking," conducted under the auspices of the Illinois State Board of Education. Through telephone interviews, 333 randomly…

A summary of the findings from the 1989 British Columbia (Canada) Assessment of Social Studies is presented. The extensive revision of the curriculum undertaken since the last social studies assessment (Aoki, Langford, Williams and Wilson, 1977), resulted in a relatively progressive and challenging curriculum. A few modifications are proposed in…

Assertions that a "crisis" exists in education have been made for over a hundred years. In spite of half a century of progressive education, followed by academic reform in the 1960s, the level of performance was still viewed with alarm in the 1970s and again in 1991, upon the release of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores. Among the…

A survey was conducted of the member institutions of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) to determine the status of outcomes assessment on their campuses, as well as the usefulness of the NASULGC "Statement of Principles on Outcomes Assessment." Seventy-three institutions (response rate = 49…

Members of the Las Cruces School District graduating class of 1989 were surveyed by mail about postsecondary studies, work, and the effectiveness and usefulness of their high school courses and experiences. Of 998 graduates, 203 responded. Respondents were 57% Anglo and 42% Hispanic. Compared to the graduating class as a whole, respondents had…

This paper describes uses for one component of an authentic assessment--visual records of achievement. Focus is on the uses of instant photography in visual literacy, multicultural education, and administrative applications. Using instant photography, students and their teachers can create a collection of the students' best work. That visual…

This report presents the findings of the application of the Differential Coursework Patterns (DCP) cluster analytic model to the tests and transcripts of a combined sample of 1987-88 and 1988-89 graduating seniors at Evergreen State College (Washington). The project found that enrollment in different patterns of programs was consistently…

This report focuses on assessing the quality of undergraduate education. A framework for thinking about the topic is provided, followed by a discussion of the ways in which the educational context is typically organized and student achievement is typically measured, with suggestions for new indicators and measures. The significance of contexts and…

The School Reform Assessment (SRA) project began in 1987 with the objective of developing indicators of student coursework that reliably and validly measure this central feature of schooling, while remaining sensitive to major policy changes and the information needs of policymakers, and efficiently collecting and reporting data. This paper…

This paper describes the elements of strategic planning and applies them to educational reform and improvement. The paper also describes how a planning model, Strategic Planning for Educational Reform and Improvement (SPERI), was used by Rural Assistance Councils (RACs) in Pennsylvania and Delaware, with technical assistance from Research for…