Reasons for more intensive scrutiny of departmental operations and budgets are reviewed, along with the factors that have prevented such study. The means and procedures for such review are listed with comments and cautions about putting these procedures into operation. (LBH)

Investigates educational and social changes that significantly affect speech teaching and research and provides a context and rationale for emerging areas of emphasis within the speech communication field. (MH)

The written compositions of 11-year-olds in Great Britain's National Child Development Study were analyzed using the T-unit length as a measure of syntactic maturity and composition length as a measure of productivity. Results are discussed in relation to cognitive and linguistic development. (Author/RM)

This inventory is a reliable and valid staff development assessment instrument designed to measure the degree to which a school's professional development programs adheres to NSDC's Standards for Staff Development. This print version is meant to be completed by teachers and other school staff members. Sold in sets of 50 assessment inventories and…

This report describes how progress monitoring--a set of techniques for assessing student performance on a regular and frequent basis--can be an essential and integral part of an inclusive standards-based assessment and accountability system. In order to meet the higher expectations of current standards-based systems, educators need information…

This document is a chapter in "The Principles and Practice of Educational Management," which aims to provide a systematic and analytical introduction to the study of educational management. The structure of the book reflects the main substantive areas of educational leadership and management, and most of the major themes are covered in…

In 2001, Canada's Alberta Learning embarked on development of a new provincial high school social studies program by conducting a province-wide needs assessment survey. Its purpose was to gather data, input, and suggestions to guide curriculum developers in the development of the new program. A needs assessment questionnaire was the primary tool…

Assessing student performance is one of the most critical responsibilities of classroom teachers; yet, many teachers do not feel adequately prepared for this task. Teachers often believe that they need remediation or assistance in applying assessment concepts and techniques, as well as making assessment-related decisions. In an effort to measure…

This digest describes a program used by two New Jersey educators to help teachers improve instruction through a deeper understanding of state standards and test specifications. Understanding how standards-based tests are constructed is the first step in being able to use them to guide and improve instruction. This digest recommends, as the route…

This report addresses challenges associated with the reporting of test scores of students with disabilities participating in alternate assessments. It summarizes six models currently under construction or already being used by states. Using proficiency levels as a common reporting approach, the six models are: (1) same proficiency levels for…

This eighth annual report on student assessment in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education contains information on student assessment programs at Oklahoma's state colleges and universities, including community colleges. Summaries of reports submitted by each of 27 institutions are provided as an overview of the 2000-2001 academic year's…

A survey of school districts across the state of Illinois in 1999 focused on three dimensions of local assessment practices: (1) why districts give tests; (2) the tests they give; and (3) what they do with test results. Telephone interviews were conducted with district assessment coordinators or superintendents from 75 school districts, including…

This book provides classroom teachers with the skills needed to interpret their students assessment results accurately and fairly. It is designed to assist teachers in planning instruction to suit the specific needs of their students. The chapters are: (1) Why Do You Need To Know about Assessment?; (2) What You Must Know about the Assessments You…

This report outlines the work and results of an Educational Assessment Task Force at Mount Hood Community College (Oregon) that was charged with improving institutional planning, strengthening programs and services, and meeting external accountability demands. The task force addressed both institutional effectiveness (the annual assessment of…

This document reports on a research project held in 2005, which looked to see how performance indicators related to area needs. It shows the results of research across four Learning and Skills Council (LSC) areas, with contributions also from national stakeholders and other witnesses. Findings include: (1) Performance indicators are regarded as…