Common problems encountered in using classroom discussion, particularly in seminars, are examined and a seminar format used at Wadhams Hall Seminary-College is described that avoided most pitfalls. The use of these techniques in other institutional settings is discussed. (MLW)

A comparative study of the attitudes of deans of liberal arts and education, regarding the extent and causes of grade inflation on their campuses, found widespread concern but only partial agreement on the causes. (MSE)

Reviewing the historical basis for the American high school design, the author proposes a substantial restructuring of secondary education. Presented are eight principles by which new high schools can be structured. (MD)

Discusses what areas of ability are being assessed in timed, closed-book examinations and to what extent the procedure might foster possible educational objectives. Also describes a list of 10 "qualities" by which a mathematics question can be graded to see what skills are needed for its solution. (Author/JN)

A lunch-hour psychology course provides continuing education for the community in an informal atmosphere with lectures by university faculty members and other specialists on various social science issues, and has a nonthreatening grading system. (AV)

This paper presents preliminary results from the National Study of Non-Credit Course Activity, which is funded by a grant from the Lumina Foundation. This research examines how non-credit data are collected and used by institutions, state and federal agencies, and national associations. An online survey was administered to all state SHEEO offices…

This review of literature is an analysis of completed research on the nature and effect of classroom assessment practices and grading. An examination of the literature in this field suggests that it is divided into these categories: (1) definitions of classroom assessment; (2) classroom assessment practices; (3) grading practices; and (4) the…

Survey data gathered from 230 respondents from a random sample of 500 Ohio public school teachers explores the association between teachers' practice of assigning grades based on nonachievement grading factors and teachers' pupil control orientation (PCI). Responding high school mathematics teachers provided information that relates to the use of…

This research identified factors that may increase anxiety in a foreign language classroom and factors that may assist in reducing anxiety, described student manifestations of anxiety, and correlated final grade with anxiety level. The research was accomplished by means of in-depth phenomenological interviews, a foreign language anxiety…

Teacher assessment and grading practices were studied in a two-phase investigation in the seven school districts that make up the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium in Virginia. The first report summarizes the findings from Phase 1 of the study, which focused on teacher responses to closed-end, written survey questions. In Phase 1, 921…

This study investigated the assessment and grading practices of 213 secondary science teachers representing urban, suburban, and rural schools. Teachers indicated the extent to which they used various factors in grading students, the types of assessments used, and the cognitive level of these assessments. The results indicate a wide variation in…

The traditional "black box" approach to evaluation of assignments in educational research courses has at least two effects: (1) products that fail to meet the expectations of the instructor; and (2) frustration on the part of students who do not know exactly what is expected, and who are consequently confused about or disappointed in the grades…

A study was conducted to explore empirically the effect of different definitions of the target examinee on the judgment of panelists setting a passing score. Two cut score studies were done in a school district for the same test within a 6-month period, and different definitions of the target candidate were provided for each study. In October…

Argues that conventional grades are inappropriate for certain university courses, and that a Pass-No Record system would be more wholesome and profitable. (JR)

Argues forcefully that the assignment of grades can have more deleterious than beneficial effects in education. The theme that grading should be abolished is developed by answering a series of commonly asked questions about evaluation of students. (JR)