A popular design in large-scale educational assessments is the balanced incomplete block design. The design assumes that the item pool is split into a set of blocks of items that are assigned to assessment booklets. This paper shows how the technique of 0-1 linear programming can be used to calculate a balanced incomplete block design. Several…

This publication attempts to provide fundamental theory about service-learning and learning communities, along with descriptions of best practices, lessons learned, and assessment strategies. The text is designed to provide resources to help readers offer service-learning experiences for their students. Learning communities are now commonly…

In educational assessment, what students say, do, and sometimes make is observed, and assessors attempt to infer what students know, can do, or have accomplished more generally. Some links in the chain of inference depend on statistical models and probability-based reasoning, and it is with these links that terms such as validity, reliability, and…

Describing the types and uses of tests may seem to be an easy task, but it is not as straightforward as it may first appear. Tests vary on many different characteristics, are used in many different ways, cross the typical assessment categories, and in some cases are so unique as to from a category unto themselves. This chapter explores many…

Testing is one means of viewing differences among individuals. Culture is another means. When we mix testing and culture together, the results are fascinating and often confusing. Generally, we test individuals in an attempt either to serve them or reward them, and if we want to reward people, there is a strong desire and need to be fair. However,…

The inclusion of students with disabilities in state and district assessments rests on a fundamental belief: all children can learn. This belief centers on all children who receive educational services, even those whose teachers and therapists work with them at home or in the hospital. The purpose of this chapter is to clarify the rationale for…

Since its inception in 1969, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has been the nation's leading indicator of what American students know and can do. The focus of this chapter is on how NAEP, as it exists today, may be useful to educators, in particular four aspects of NAEP that may be of wide interest and use. This chapter…

This paper makes the case that the intensifying pressure to assess higher educational outcomes objectively must be balanced by the inclusion of professional judgment. Mere numbers cannot tell the whole story of educational achievement. The tenacious attachment to positivism distances assessment and quality improvement from more inclusive ways of…

Social studies objectives for the 1971-1972 National Assessment and citizenship objectives for the 1969-1970 and 1974-1975 Assessments are outlined. (KM)

This article is an overview of current thinking in evaluation. The evaluation frameworks of Scriven, Provus, Stake, Guba, and Stufflebeam are discussed. (HD)

Discussion of educational objectives rests on the unsubstantiated assumption that educators have valid and reliable means of determining outcomes. Most of what goes on in teacher training programs today is based upon what the instructor believes "should" happen and not what "has been shown" to happen. (HD)

Critically reviews some important attempts at needs analysis which have been made in the last 10 years and identifies strengths and weaknesses of needs analysis at the present stage of its development. Suggests that there is currently no objective method of analyzing learner needs. (EKN)

This study concluded that certain limitations continue to exist in vocational education research and development efforts, particularly those activities which are related to demonstration projects. Some of these limitations include (1) lack of adequate research design or evaluation methodology, (2) weaknesses in survey tehniques, and (3) weakness…

Educational planners must be aware of educational needs to do their jobs successfully. The educational needs of adults must be continually analyzed and clarified. (JOW)

A member of the National Evaluation Policy Group discusses the dynamics of the national evaluation of extension education, and the national expectations, issues, and impact of the process. (SK)