Reports that results of a 12 year survey of student grade averages and student knowledge indicate that students entering college today are less knowledgeable than the 1967 student, but have higher high school grade averages. (SL)

A description of a complicated evaluation system to stimulate student motivation in university level German language courses. The total evaluation is based on points distributed throughout the course. The process, including advantages and disadvantages, is discussed in detail. Copies of the syllabus are available. (AMH)

Proposes, for the oral portion of the final (graduation) examination, the text as basic object, from which a section should be read aloud. A 15-point grading scale is described. Regarding content, performance in "informing,""interpreting and extrapolating," and "evaluating and discussion" are to be graded. (Text is in…

Poor attendance in foreign language classes is presented as an indicator of poor performance. (HP)

Reports on the newly devised optional Reading Comprehension Test in the high school graduation examination for Realschulen. Proposes a coordination of learning goals and teaching procedures with the various parts of the test. Offers suggestions for grading. Many examples are given. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

The diversity of grading systems used in 23 of Canada's largest universities is examined. Various suggestions are offered that, if adopted, should improve the communication value of grades and increase their effectiveness in decision-making. (Editor/LBH)

Presents results of a study on the effects of topic selection on holistic scoring, which supported the idea that topic effects are reflected in student writing and influence student scores. (JC)

Reports on three efforts to reduce class absenteeism through telephone calls to randomly selected students to express concern that they study and attend class; professor-initiated brief interpersonal contacts with randomly selected students; and a grading policy rewarding attendance, punishing absenteeism and using a combination of the two. (DMM)

Discussion of how to report writing skills highlights a computer program designed to provide feedback on the communicative effectiveness of students' written reports; presents an example of the typical feedback format which the program provides; and reviews students' reactions to computer assisted feedback. (MBR)

Examines some of the written responses of instructors to student writing, such as "redundant,""vague," and "rewrite," and considers the effects on the students. (EL)

A study simulated information students would be provided when registering for courses. 395 students in business classes indicated willingness to enroll in classes depending on professors' communication skills, grading practices, and likeableness. Lack of other information led to stereotyping and avoidance of foreign-sounding names. (SK)

Statistical evidence showed that university faculty with relatively few students tend to assign higher grades than would be expected otherwise. The significance of this association must be taken into consideration when evaluating student achievement and faculty performance. (Author/RM)

In support of Ginsberg's theory (TM 508 964), a third corollary to the Conservation of Discretion Law is proposed: Where possible, the worker will use a statistic not as a statistic but, rather, as an instrument to reduce the workload. Three illustrations are presented: grade point averages, crime rates, and recidivism rates. (BW)

Muses over knowledge gained from an education course and contrasts that with personal teaching experience in a writing classroom. (HOD)

This study concluded that homophily (the degree to which interacting individuals are similar in certain attributes) did not affect judgment grading or cognitive learning; however, some teacher/student combinations produced better cognitive results than others. (PD)