The standards-based reform movement has resulted in the wide-spread use of summative assessments designed to measure students' performance at specific points in time. While many have hoped that these end-of-year tests would provide constructional useful information for educators, they do not. This is not because there is something…

This study estimates pretreatment-posttreatment effect size benchmarks for the treatment of major depression in adults that may be useful in evaluating psychotherapy effectiveness in clinical practice. Treatment efficacy benchmarks for major depression were derived for 3 different types of outcome measures: the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression…

Despite the widespread discussion of organisational learning, there is little scholarly contribution on promoting learning through the practical application of management tools. This is especially true in a complex internal supply chain context of an organisation. This paper seeks to address this gap by exploring and analysing the capability of…

Performance benchmarks are proposed to assist undergraduate psychology programs in defining their missions and goals as well as documenting their effectiveness. Experienced academic program reviewers compared their experiences to formulate a developmental framework of attributes of undergraduate programs focusing on activity in 8 domains:…

High-stakes writing assessments currently exert a strong influence on the writing curriculum and instruction in schools across the United States. Under these circumstances it is important to examine the construct of writing competence on which these assessments are based, as well as the extent to which this construct supports the goals of…

The aim of this article is to argue that the evident exchange of information on performance (and its supply, demand and use) should be regarded as a symptom of a new governmental regime that installs less evident power relations. Educational policy in Flanders (Belgium), and in particular the need for feedback information from the Flemish…

This study identifies a core set of geography standards and benchmarks that have been identified as exemplary and are used by a significant number of educators in the Central Region served by McREL (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming). Specifically, the study provides a list of the knowledge and skills…

This study estimated the amount of time required to teach standards at four grade levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) as compared to the time available for instruction. Teachers from four districts in Wyoming, Colorado, and North Dakota made three types of judgments regarding each benchmark within a standard: amount of time needed to teach a given…

Provides survey data from 55 large, multinational companies on outsourcing, training expenditures, learning technologies, delivery systems, and performance evaluation. Notes an increase in outsourcing, centralized training, classroom delivery, and use of the Internet. (JOW)

After a brief discussion about the evolution and status of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), summarizes some of what has been learned so far about the engagement patterns of different groups of students and some of the questions and challenges the NSSE results raise. (EV)

From reporting structure to staffing, internship and co-op professionals share "inside" information about their experiential programs and personnel in response to a survey. (GCP)

Describes the evaluation of four relational database management systems (RDBMSs) (Informix Turbo, Oracle 6.0 TPS, Unify 2000 and Relational Technology's Ingres 5.0) to determine which is best suited for library automation. The evaluation criteria used to develop a benchmark specifically designed to test RDBMSs for libraries are discussed. (CLB)

Examines traditional numerical methods of future space-needs projections and allocations and presents an approach based on space-per-faculty-member projections. Presents results of a unique national space-benchmarking study covering data on space-per-faculty-member projections in nine Research I universities. (GR)

Explains the need to establish a national system of standards for public libraries. Discusses local standards, state standards, and international standards, and suggests adopting a tiered approach including three levels: minimum standards; target standards; and benchmarking standards, as found in total quality management. (LRW)

Discusses what benchmarking is and reflects on the importance and development of benchmarking in universities on a national and international level. Offers examples of transnational benchmarking activities, including the International Benchmarking Club, in which South African higher education institutions participate. (EV)