Nigeria will discontinue the use of the school leaving certificate examination and will instead rely on continuous assessment of students which is systematic, comprehensive, cumulative, and guidance-oriented. Eight evaluation criteria are suggested: achievement; personal qualities; interests; attitudes; physical health; and cocurricular, outdoor,…

Elaborates on the article "Synthesis of Research on the Effectiveness of Intellectual Skills Programs: Snake-Oil Remedies or Miracle Cures?" by Sternberg and Bhana. Encourages the development of a theory that could provide a guide to the infusion of thinking instruction into any area of inquiry. (IW)

This study used the Model for Assessing Learning with Logo (Nolan and Ryba) to examine effects of Logo programming on junior high school students' thinking skills. The model addresses both student acquisition of Logo-related thinking skills and the extent to which they transfer skills to noncomputer problem solving tasks. (MBR)

Presents a framework for measuring the value of information from three perspectives--the reader of information, the organization or funder, and society--which is based on use studies of the Energy Data Base by Department of Energy researchers. (CLB)

Discusses teacher evaluation in Great Britain, abandoning some common assumptions about "correct" teaching methods and hierarchical and "outside" appraisal systems. Advocates peer evaluation, flexible criteria, faculty discussion, and staff development as a primary purpose. Describes an evaluation sheet to be used by observing…

Reports on a study done in Quebec, Canada, to determine the level of agreement or disagreement between principals and teachers using established criteria to measure the effectiveness of a science teacher. Results were used in an attempt to construct a profile of the attributes of an outstanding science teacher. (TW)

The two major justifications for the traditional grammar curriculum in Dutch schools are: (1) its superiority to direct skill training in improving general language ability; and (2) its facilitation of teaching and learning foreign languages. An evaluative investigation, which included a literature review and logbook and textbook surveys, found no…

This article overviews a summative evaluation of the School Advisory Center's innovative initial reading curriculum program from 1972 to 1978 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The evaluation design used was Stake's "countenance model" with description and observation matrices. Reading achievement results were disappointing and were attributed…

Use of a critical approach in a curriculum design course for preservice teachers, by a five-phase process, would offer a beneficial shift away from the dominant "objectives first" models. This approach allows most teachers to reevaluate the processes and perspectives involved in educating children. (86 references) (CJH)

Examines changes in the Dutch educational attainment process over a 25-year period by analyzing two student generations in two stages: societal change effects and attainment process measurement changes. Results show that societal changes have affected attainment for certain groups and that there has been considerable change in the attainment…

School psychologists have experienced difficulties in assessing students' behavior disorders, because of lack of training and problems associated with the traditional medical model of abnormal behavior. An alternative assessment model is described in terms of its five principles: problem solving; functional analysis; multiple operationalism;…

Evaluates the hypothesis that boomtowns enter a period of generalized crisis and loss of traditional values/attitudes; considers impact of energy development on residents' involvement in/attachment to their community, and perceived quality of community services. Uses linear and systemic models on data from three intermountain communities…

The use of surveys of student aid recipients in one university is reported, focusing on survey rationale and methodology. Topics include survey organization, questionnaire content and design, sampling and procedures, and analysis and presentation of results. The significance and use made of information obtained from one recent survey are…

This paper addresses some real assessment challenges that teachers have identified: (1) Figuring out what really is important for students to know and be able to do in history; (2) Teaching the skills of "doing history" in a world of testing that often seems to value only factual knowledge; (3) Identifying and using assessments that provide…

In this paper, Sonia Nieto develops the thesis that teaching is political work, by showing how issues of power and privilege are involved in all aspects of education--from classroom practices to infrastructure, from testing issues to decisions about curriculum. At the center of the educational process stands the teacher, and teachers can make a…