An interview with John I. Goodlad concerning the research he and his associates have been conducting over the last eight years in an attempt to describe "Schooling in America." (IRT)

This article points out that the methodology of educational evaluation has been dominated by scientific assumptions and, then, argues that two concepts--connoisseurship and criticism--yield procedures that could provide a complement to the scientific approaches. (MM)

Notes that all assignments for writing assessment require a rhetorical transaction. Describes the rhetorical frame provided by the assessment developed at the University of Michigan, and compares versions of the test topics to discern their equivalency through an analysis of student performance. (HTH)

The development and use of quality indicators is a priority need for Venezuelan higher education. A sample of previous research studies concerning major issues related to the efficiency of Venezuelan higher education is summarized. The evaluation of academic achievement and some general considerations related to the use of quality indicators are…

The background and status of efforts toward the development of national educational quality standards for Scotland are discussed. Issues covered include relationships between English and Scottish efforts, information provided by the Scottish Education Department, problems with local-level authorities, and the use of qualitative versus quantitative…

This article investigates the bias in regression coefficients caused by inconsistent aggregation of mean test scores by state from the Department of Education's table, "State Education Statistics." First theoretical calculations are used, then data are artifically aggregated from the High School and Beyond Sample. (Author/LMO)

Surveyed gifted education teachers' and supervisors' perceptions of current gifted reevaluation practices. Results showed most gifted educators were not in agreement with the practice of using gifted reevaluations to reestablish program eligibility. Instead, they would prefer to get information relevant to program evaluation, program planning, and…

Presents initial results from a survey of 910 Catholic high schools. Identifies positive school climate, high quality academic programs, and religious and values education as areas of excellence. Sees the development of Catholic identity, sense of community, and constituent involvement as major challenges. (DMM)

Summarizes findings from a National Catholic Educational Association study of the characteristics of excellent Catholic elementary schools. Highlights findings regarding philosophy, policies, leadership, curriculum, religious education, relationships, decision making, instructional methods and materials, finances, staffing, parents/community,…

The instructional auditor reviews school district policies, job descriptions, budget allocations, contract provisions, internal and external communications, instructional monitoring and delivery systems, elections, student characteristics, personnel characteristics, and administrative authority as these factors affect a district's instructional…

This paper represents a tribute to the career of Ralph Winfred Tyler, whose publication "Constructing Achievement Tests" served as the basis for most of the major efforts in evaluation since 1934. Tyler's career is traced from his doctoral studies at the University of Chicago to his guidelines for national assessment. (LMO)

This paper serves a dual purpose: (1) it provides a framework for the more specialized papers of this journal issue, which surveys the state of educational assessment and evaluation in the Federal Republic of Germany; and (2) it illustrates the controversial developments that have led to the present state of educational measurement. (PN)

This book explores how standards are bringing about changes in elementary schools and conveys what standards-based education in elementary schools looks and feels like. Chapter 1 tells the story of Andrew as an emblem of the common fate of children in an educational system that did not know its purpose. Chapter 2 sketches the history and…

Previous studies of the validity of gains on high-stakes tests have compared trends in scores on a high-stakes test to trends on a lower-stakes test, such as NAEP. However, generalizability of gains is likely to be incomplete even when gains are meaningful because of differences in the inferences the two tests are designed to support. Therefore,…

The major aspects of the Russian educational system were examined in terms of quality assurance. No part of the educational system in Russia is small enough to escape some form of assessment, measurement, comparison, audit, or classification as to quality. To describe the quality control system, the book begins with an overview of Russian…