Critiques standardized, static literacy assessment practice. Proposes an interactive, curriculum-embedded, multidimensional approach to assessment based on observations and records of student literacy made on a variety of occasions over time and in a variety of authentic learning contexts. Demonstrates how a teacher and a student interacted to…

Examined differences in observers' influence on parents during naturalistic home observations of families. Parents' oldest child was 6-7 years old. Results suggested that observers influenced fathers more than mothers. Apparent differences in influence were related to the child's sex. (LB)

Data from 3 observations of 32 primary and 38 secondary teachers showed no differences in primary teachers' responses to boys and girls but significant differences in secondary teachers' responses--boys received more responses overall, female teachers responded more negatively to boys' social behavior, male teachers more positively to boys'…

Methods such as phonics or whole language can never ensure that children learn to read. Children must learn from people--from teachers initiating them into the readers' club and from authors' writings. Children's relationships with teachers, each other, and the learning task itself are supremely important. Observation, not testing, gauges student…

Twelve trained observers were randomly assigned to one of two methods of data collection in scoring teacher-student interactions. Results indicated no overall difference in observer accuracy between momentary time sampling and continuous data collection when scoring behaviors that differed along the dimensions of frequency and predictability.…

Observation in 281 elementary and junior secondary classrooms and interview with teachers found large variation in communication behaviors of Botswana teachers, related to subject matter, presence of a textbook, and school size. Much class time was spent on choral recitation, which was positively related to expatriate staff and pupil persistence.…

An art program at an alternative elementary school in Acton, Massachusetts, revolves around the belief that every person has an inner sense of self that should provide the direction for learning. The educational environment is designed to stimulate individuals to find their own personal direction. (SK)

Analyses of home movies taken by 12 parents before recognition of their children's autistic disorders confirmed that anomalies could be noted as early as the first few months of life, such as anomalies of eye contact, deficient variability of emotional expression, deficit of attention, and initiation of communication, and motor abnormalities.…

Evaluators in six objective structured clinical examinations were encouraged to add written comments to the traditional checklist rating forms. The 1,283 comments were categorized as trainee performance (technique, content, summary) and organizational comments. Analysis found that the comments were relevant and useful, and provided substantial…

Describes research and writing activities introduced to a third grade class in Edgecombe (Maine). Students learned to take brief notes without copying, locate information in the library beyond encyclopedias, make logs of observations, interview experts, and present information in several formats, including acrostics, timelines, and dioramas. (DM)

Examines benefits of three models for evaluating outdoor adventure programs: program monitoring with debriefings and check-offs; experimental evaluation; and qualitative, naturalistic observation. Illustrates and compares approaches using California 4-H adventure ropes course. Examines data's specificity, assumptions, ambiguities, and followup.…

Continuing the interchange of ideas about evaluation methodology, the authors argue the advisability of using the entire array of methods to produce useful and persuasive findings. There is, ultimately, a truth to be sought, but no one approach has a monopoly on finding it. (SLD)

Teachers (n=109) from a Texas school district participated in a study of teachers' perceptions of a postobservation evaluation conference with respect to the purpose, process, environment, and factors influencing the conference. Teachers also made recommendations for keeping the postobservation conference meaningful and constructive. Responses…

Describes the development of the VV-BOS (Visualizer/Verbalizer Behavior Observation Scale), a computer-based instrument for direct observation of students' preferences for visual or verbal learning material. Results of a study with second-language learners indicated a high degree of reliability as an alternative to conventional questionnaires.…

Administrators' classroom observations should be supplemented by more thorough evaluation techniques. This article describes a simple device for measuring teachers' progress toward completing instructional goals based on electronically submitted lesson plans. Repeated low "turn" rates may signify the need for extra classroom resources or problems…