Describes a project to explore how mathematics teachers can use assessment of students' learning to shape their own instructional practices. The project had two goals: (1) to make sense of what students understand, how they understand it, and what counts as evidence of understanding; and (2) to use analysis of materials that document students'…

Seven papers present international perspectives on the relationship between education and child development. Conclusions reached in research on developmental genetics, cognitive development, and classroom instruction are considered, characterizing the current state of knowledge with respect to the influence of education on achievement outcomes.…

Described is an alternative way for classroom teachers to assess students' performance in mathematics. The interview process is presented in stages: initiating the interview, the questioning stage, formulating and testing hypotheses, and intervention. (KR)

Mail questionnaire items that are susceptible to order effects were examined using data from 168 questionnaires in a Florida Cooperative Extension Service evaluation. Order effects were found for multiple-response and attributive questions but not for single-response items. Order also interacted with question complexity, social desirability, and…

Research on the construct of teachability is reviewed. Teachability refers to a teacher's views of students' amenability to instruction and their likelihood of success in school. A critique of the sparse research indicates disagreement about whether the concept is an absolute student condition. (SLD)

Reported are the results of a survey conducted to identify which analytical methods are most commonly used in nonacademic analytical laboratories. Laboratory supervisors' ratings of various aspects of chemical education are included. (CW)

Included in this section are articles on the following topics: science education for pupils with learning difficulties, the Engineering Council, differential achievement in early childhood according to sex, a peer tutoring program, and suggestions for involving students in recording their own achievement. (CW)

Describes a study that used students' scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, disaggregated by student intelligence test scores and socioeconomic status, to assess the quality and equity of 15 elementary schools in a mid-western school district. Reports comparative and longitudinal data for each district. (DMM)

Discusses the assessment process in the British National Curriculum. Identifies psychometric issues which are not yet resolved and explores the problem of teacher judgment in assessment. Questions whether the aims of national assessment are compatible with educational goals. Suggests that teachers may not be fully supportive of the program. (KO)

In their discussion of problems related to identifying learning disabilities with individually administered achievement tests, Phillips and Clarizio incorrectly conclude that developmental standard score scales produce unrealistic expectations for the growth of low-achieving students. By definition, these scores state how much the norm group's…

Some states are mandating basic skills testing and encouraging comprehensive universities to provide remedial programs for students who do not pass the tests. Texas House Bill 2182 is an example of this trend and is discussed in light of 10 key issues posed by assessment experts. (Author/MLW)

Offers a thematic approach for social studies scope and sequence. Outlines 10 themes which are offered at each grade level K-12 providing the scope for the curriculum. Illustrates how higher-order thinking and inquiry can be incorporated into the program and outlines the content for grades K-12. (SLM)

Studies the use of computers in elementary schools as reported by principals in a survey. Discusses the survey instrument and its topics. Reports findings on drill and practice, learning new material, simulations, and problem solving. (MVL)

Responses of two high school history teachers on three performance assessments of teaching, part of the Stanford University Teacher Assessment Project, were analyzed. Differences that emerged in teacher attitudes and knowledge level illustrate what performance assessment can reveal about pedagogical knowledge and the implications for educational…

Uses the home-education policy arena as a lens through which to view changing beliefs and practices about student assessment. The home-education policies of 10 states illustrate issues relating to accountability in public and private schools and the use of standardized tests. (SLD)