Teachers' beliefs and the effects of these beliefs on instructional practices have become significant areas of research on teaching. The purpose of this study was to compare the beliefs of elementary and secondary teachers with respect to testing and grading and to identify factors that discriminate between the two groups of teachers. The sample…

A part-form methodology was used to study the effect of varying degrees of multidimensionality on the consistency of pass/fail classification decisions obtained from simulated unidimensional item response theory (IRT) based licensure examinations. A control on the degree of form multidimensionality permitted an assessment throughout the range of…

Development of oral foreign language proficiency in high school and college instruction is complemented by well-designed writing exercises integrating all skills and providing contact with various language forms. A series of short, text-adaptable, proficiency-based writing activities reinforcing aural, oral, and reading skills throughout the basic…

This workbook is the result of a 3-year study of transcripts and other documentation from study-abroad programs and is designed to be of use to both those responsible for making credit transfer determinations and those advising students on study abroad programs. It provides the following information: (1) guidelines for the documentation necessary…

The components of a cooperating teacher summative evaluation instrument were identified and the extent to which the final grade in student teaching could be determined based upon the evaluation was examined. Specific objectives of the study were to examine the relationship between grade in student teaching and the summative evaluation and…

A checkbook learning activity which is adaptable to all grades, ages, and subject areas is described. The four reasons given for using checks in the classroom are to provide practice for students in computational skills, to increase student motivation, to provide real-world experience, and to replace the teacher's grading system. The following…

A study examined the differential grading that occurs in the basic speech communication classroom and attempted to identify predictors for the differences in the grades that male and female students receive. Subjects, 47 women and 48 men enrolled in the same lecture section of a basic communication course at a small private midwestern college,…

Designed to raise the full range of hermeneutic concerns regarding evaluation of student writing, and to spur further research and discussion, this collection of essays focuses on a reconsideration of the interpretation and evaluation practices of writing teachers. Essays include: "A Reflective Conversation: 'Tempos of Meaning'"…

This annual collection contains essays relating to instruction in the basic communication course, grading in the basic communication course, evaluating the basic communication course, and the "state" of the basic communication course. Papers in the collection include: "The Future of the Basic Course" (Judy C. Pearson and Paul…

Learning modules offer the advantage of improved student knowledge through demonstrated competence with the instructional materials. Separate lessons are delivered with quizzes available after each lesson. Multiple quiz forms are necessary. When the students believes he is prepared, the student requests and takes the quiz. A standard level of…

This report summarizes the findings of a 1985 study of the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) summer school program. Statistics, charts and survey results provide a picture of the student population, school financial situation, course offerings, participant attitudes, etc. The APS summer school is self-supporting, but tuition is rising rapidly and…

This volume contains two papers concerning appropriate accommodations that can be made in the areas of grading and granting credits and diplomas for mildly handicapped high school students. The first paper discusses grades for students with disabilities who are mainstreamed in general education classes. It presents seven guiding principles that…

A computer assisted system called PEERRATE was used in a theater history course at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in Newark, in fall 1980, in order to give students an opportunity to anonymously grade one another's written work and to compare their own ratings with those of fellow students and the instructor. The PEERRATE system is a…

This study explores and identifies patterns of teacher, student, parent, and administrator responses to letter grade evaluation systems. The study examined four main points: rationales for letter grades, interpretations of grading procedures and process, the consequences of letter grades, and alternatives to letter grades. The study involved an…