Good evaluation shares much with good teaching. What makes an evaluation useful can depend on qualities of teaching brought to the evaluator's role. (Available from: Jossey-Bass, Inc., 433 California St., San Francisco, CA 94104, single issue, $6.95.) (Author)

Cites and provides annotations for eight documents and five journal articles from the ERIC collection dealing with institutional research in the two-year college. (AYC)

Describes a method of evaluation which ensures maximum yield. Mentions common pitfalls in evaluation procedures and proposes Reality-Based Evaluation (RBE) as a safeguard against them. Outlines RBE and concludes that evaluation results must play an active role in bringing about change. (JG)

Differences in approaches to research into student learning are analyzed in terms of differences in the conception of six aspects of the research process. It is argued that underlying various strategies there is a variation in perspective, description, conceptualization, relations of categories, comprehension, and application of findings.…

Reviews research on trait interaction and suggests using this research as the basis of individualized instruction. Further suggests that teachers add to the literature by testing the interaction of traits in their own classrooms. (TJ)

Suggests that reading specialists can be the change agents needed to bring reading research information to teachers in a practical manner. (MKM)

Notes problems in measuring attitudes about reading, critically examines some existing measures, and discusses the relevancy of such measures for classroom use. (GT)

The complexity of the supervisor's role, the lack of research regarding supervisory behavior and relationships, and the need for development of a theory of supervision all seem to emphasize a demand for extensive research in the field of instructional supervision. Such research is particularly needed if supervisory programs are to be improved and…

Discusses the Privacy Act of 1974, noting that it "establishes minimal standards for the protection of individual privacy. By contrast, educational researchers and the social science community generally have a far more restrictive attitude toward the protection of individually identifiable data pertaining to research subjects."…

Asserts that the emphasis on explaining individual differences in political orientations among preadults accounts for "the disappointing contribution of political socialization research to political understanding." Argues that "possessing an explicit model of democratic citizenship would provide greater political meaning to empirical data."…

The Congress began the reorganization of the appropriations process by passing the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. It established new budget committees in each house. However, the efficient use of competent policy studies by Congress may still be blocked "by major obstacles--inherent both in the structure of Congress and in the incentives…

Research data on a self-administered student health appraisal questionnaire suggests its suitability for use in secondary schools as (1) a supplement to periodic health examination, (2) an inexpensive source of readily available health data for each student, and (3) a useful resource aid for the health education instructor in curriculum planning.…

Cites Edward Lee Thorndike's influence on the sizable chasm between educational research and practice. Notes recent progress in improving research use (action research, teacher researchers) but suggests there is still far to go. (SK)

Perceived lack of quality in educational research is due to length of time to see results, the disarray of the field, and politicization. Improvements are needed in conceptualization, methodology, and the composition and technical format of research reports. (SK)