This paper offers an alternative ranking of top American research universities, criticizing the methodology used by US News & World Report and its commercialization. It begins by questioning two "givens"--the American pursuit of the "best" and the rankings "game" of trying to define the best colleges and…

This guide addresses various aspects of authentic assessment as it is used in vocational education. The guide contains five chapters, each written by different authors. Following an overview and definitions of terms by Rodney L. Custer, John W. Schell discusses the theoretical foundations of authentic assessment, reviewing psychological,…

This paper examines Florida's standards-driven performance assessment, emphasizing teacher preparation, and touching on K-12 accountability. Florida's educational reform and accountability efforts are driven by the Florida System of School Improvement and Accountability document. The system is derived from state goals similar to the national Goals…

This paper chronicles the development of national performance-based, subject matter knowledge and competencies standards for the preparation of new social studies teachers, exploring the implications of their recent implementation by colleges and universities nationally. The standards are at the forefront of performance assessments of beginning…

Equipped for the Future (EFF) is a standards-based system reform initiative aimed at improving the quality and outcomes of the adult literacy and lifelong learning delivery systems. It is predicated on the concept that the skills adult learners need for success as parents, workers, and citizens go beyond the basic academic skills traditionally…

In September 1999, a pilot program of Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) was introduced in 15 local education authorities (LEAs) in England to provide payments to students aged 16-19 who are from low-income families and who are attending full-time courses in schools and colleges. Participants are entitled to 2 years' support and must be…

This final report discusses the outcomes of a project designed to extend the nation's current emphasis on health-related, criterion-referenced fitness testing and programming to children and adolescents with disabilities. It summarizes project activities leading up to the Brockport Physical Fitness Test and related measures. Activities included:…

This paper recounts the process of integrating industry into the assessment process in engineering education developed by the Synthesis Coalition, a group of colleges and schools working together to improve engineering education through development and implementation of curriculum reforms. Originating in the Coalition's efforts to introduce…

This document describes what students should know and be able to do in the visual and performing arts prior to graduation from South Carolina high schools. The standards are based on the "South Carolina Visual and Performing Arts Framework," adopted by the South Carolina State Board of Education in 1993. Standards for performance in…

An empirical test of the service-profit chain in a large United Kingdom retail business explored how employee attitudes and behavior can improve customer retention and, consequently, company sales performance. Data were collected from 65,000 employees and 25,000 customers from almost 100 stores. The business collected customer satisfaction for…

This paper describes the development work and research findings of an initiative to create a statewide literacy assessment in New York to inform teaching and learning and report on group performance trends. The Early Literacy Profile (ELP) is a classroom-based, standards-referenced performance assessment for students in the primary grades…

This study investigated the association between college students' engagement of learning strategies and their academic performance in a freshman psychology course. Three groups of students participated in the study: 22 at-risk freshmen who were taught learning strategies in a linked strategy-instruction course; 22 students who had previously taken…

This study sought to develop a valid and reliable instrument to measure student perceptions of good college teaching from a cross-cultural perspective. A total of 63 graduate and undergraduate students from various ethnic and racial groups (Caucasian, African American, Hispanic American, and Asian American) completed a set of open-ended questions…

Noting studies showing a critical link between students' relation to the school environment and their academic performance, attendance, attitudes, motivation, and post-high school success, particularly for at-risk students, this guide compiles widely recognized strategies to develop students' sense of connection to their school environment. The…

This book provides a practical approach to using and developing performance assessments. There are 13 chapters: (1) "Determining Goals, Targets, and Objectives" (what students should be able to do as a result of being in the class); (2) "How Will Assessment Be Used?" (how assessment can help or hinder the instructional process…