Offers an "outsider's perspective" on social education by someone who worked in other subfields of education before entering social studies. Discusses problems in social education, for example, the paucity of research in the field and the lack of perceived importance of social education. (DSK)

Reports on the development and validation of a universal inventory that equips health professionals and medical educators with a diagnostic tool to measure the state of their school's teaching and learning climate. Contains 25 references. (DDR)

Describes approaches for evaluating the effectiveness of a school's music program. Discusses the expertise-oriented approach (relies heavily on professional judgment of committee members), objectives-oriented approach (examines curricular goals and outcomes), and naturalistic approach (uses qualitative inquiry techniques). Includes a list of…

Analyzes whether school-based management (a corporate business emphasis) in Chicago public high schools improved performance between 1989 and 1994. Malmquist productivity index results show very little improvement in productivity (measured in test scores, truancy, and graduation rates). Second-stage regression results are slightly more positive.…

Discussion of the assessment of students with disabilities receiving services in inclusive settings focuses on assessing for updating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and for guiding instruction. It considers the use of norm-referenced assessment, informal assessment, assessment for instruction, teacher observation and listening skills,…

This article discusses some of the limitations of current educational assessment and how application of universal design for learning (UDL) concepts can improve assessment accuracy and its applicability to instruction. Benefits of UDL are described and include allowing for multiple means of representation and expression, and multiple means of…

A study investigated the kinds of instructional and assessment accommodations received by 280 students with disabilities and the extent to which instructional accommodations match assessment accommodations. Most students who had Individualized Education Programs in specific content areas received instructional accommodations in those areas.…

Teacher educators and policy makers must provide teachers with the tools, processes, and supports to help students across the socioeconomic spectrum achieve standards according to their multiple intelligences while avoiding undermining influences of reductionism, superficiality, inequity, and pseudo-change. Seven elements for successful reform…

A detailed multisite evaluation of instructional software, the ConStatS package, designed to help students conceptualize introductory probability and statistics, yielded patterns of error on several assessment items. Results from 739 college students demonstrated 10 misconceptions that may be among the most difficult concepts to teach. (SLD)

Defines four essential elements of a system of educational standards: (1) common, rigorous student achievement standards; (2) state-administered assessments; (3) explicit rewards for achievement; and (4) opportunity to reach the standards. Practices to ensure these conditions and enact a system based on these elements are discussed. (SLD)

Asserts that graduation and placement rates based on surveys as forms of institutional assessment are no longer enough. Addresses five legitimate, critical concerns about outcomes reporting. Discusses the use of unemployment insurance data to document and report on institutional and program effectiveness by tracking students' placement and…

Examines how evaluation by the Japanese University Accreditation Association (JUAA) can provide incentive to improve university governance, including research, education, management, staff development, curriculum, and admission policies. The underlying concept of university evaluation in Japan is a combination of self-monitoring and external…

Identifies and assesses the current status of community college peer institution selection systems. Finds that a limited body of research exists in the area. Suggests further research to identify unique community college variables and determine the role of classification systems in describing community college diversity. (Contains 31 references.)…

Describes the assessment of student learning outcomes in six domains: general education, transfer programs, vocational and occupational education, remedial and developmental education, continuing education, and affective and noncognitive areas. Discusses the use of assessment results and the implications of assessment for external accountability…

Describes bipartisan efforts to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; asserts that enforcing state compliance with requirements of the act is major challenge. (PKP)