A study of the reliability of student evaluation of courses and instructors at Kuwait University, and the insights into Arab educational attitudes provided by the study, are reported. (MSE)

Students acquire information about their abilities by observing the differential treatment accorded high and low achievers. They then revise their own achievement expectations and perform according to the expectations perceived. This article reports the findings of two studies of elementary school reading classes that tested hypotheses derived…

Two factors were investigated: the longitudinal nature of student ratings of instructors and the use of item banks for designing student rating questionnaires, especially for instructor feedback. (Author/MLW)

Northeast Missouri State University has developed a way of knowing its effectiveness through a method of assessment that focuses on the value added to the student's knowledge and personality. Competency testing and attitudinal assessment are used. The effects on curriculum and instruction are outlined. (MLW)

Research studies concerning how nutrition affects educational performance are examined. From a developmental perspective it seems likely that the earlier the onset and the longer the duration of the nutritional deficiency the higher the probabilities of a cognitive deficit and poor school achievement in childhood and adolescence. (RM)

In third-grade and tenth-grade subjects, results included (1) the absence of age differences in proportionalized short-term retention and (2) significant age differences in long-term retention only between groups that had received a different number of learning trials. (Author/CI)

Compares the performance of German school learners of English in a communicative writing task and of their teachers in assessing it with that of native English pupils and teachers carrying out the same task. Raises questions about the appropriate performance model for communicative tasks and the role of usage in teacher assessments. (Author/SED)

Gives guidelines for using a microcomputer software evaluation instrument which focuses on policy issues, instructional quality, science subject-matter standards, and technical quality. The complete evaluation instrument is included. (JM)

A study investigating at what point in a course a student's attitudes about it are formed indicates students begin to evaluate the course early in the semester. It is suggested that classroom evaluations be moved back to an early class meeting to allow for teacher improvement during the course. (MSE)

Examines the effects of three self-pacing procedures on student withdrawal rate, rate of progress, final examination performance, and attitude in a personalized system of instruction for undergraduate students in an introductory speech course. Benefits of reducing student procrastination are discussed in light of the study's results. (Author/MBR)

This study investigated the motivational and performance consequences of two features of task-mastery learning structures: retesting opportunities and criterion-referenced grading. College students were assigned either to a norm-referenced (competitive) or a criterion-referenced grading system, and to either a single-test or retest condition.…

The School Improvement Project demonstrates that when schools rigorously implement activities that address the five "Edmonds Factors," gains in student achievement and staff attitudes can be made. These factors are (1) strong administrative leadership; (2) emphasis on basic skills; (3) an orderly school climate; (4) ongoing student…

Design for process analysis in teacher education methods courses helps prospective teachers learn to make decisions and analyze classroom interactions. Model describes specific eight-point procedure to follow in examining college classrooms from students' and observers' perspectives, examining literature on teacher effectiveness, and comparing…

Reports results of a survey of National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) members (N=509 representing a 51 percent return rate). Personal, educational, employment, and professional factors affecting members' role/status as professional biology educators are considered. (JN)

In Chapter Five, Alisa Belzer, Cassandra Drennon and Cristine Smith provide an overview of the challenges facing state-level professional development systems. The authors begin the chapter with a brief history of professional development in adult basic education, noting shifts in the funding and priority of professional development in the field.…