This study was concerned with selecting a measure of scorer agreement for use with the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The simple percent of agreement and Cohen's kappa were compared. It was concluded that Cohen's kappa does not add sufficient information to make its calculation worthwhile. (Author/BW)

An evaluation design is seen to ensure the presence of certain qualities in an evaluation; values and valued qualities permeate the evaluation design. Mechanisms for evaluations (in-process reviews, follow-up studies, etc.) are dealt with and familiarity with financial, managerial, and ethical procedures are stressed in the evaluation design. (CE)

Four trends important to educational research and development are traced, and serve as background for describing the evolving status of educational evaluation. The long-range future for educational evaluation is assessed. (MH)

The study was done to provide a basis for identifying basic educational needs of California adults through analysis of their performance in selected competency areas. Contains specific data which assist in identifying those who should be part of a system of dialog to clarify what educational services are needed. (Author/JOW)

In an experiment to evaluate a new library system, undergraduate psychology students were divided into an online systems group and a basic bibliographic skills group. Comparison of performance by students in each group on a literature review task indicated that the online systems group performed better on the literature review task and felt more…

The author offers opinions regarding the resources invested in evaluation and the evaluators' awareness of the need to justify the profession in terms of social utility. (GK)

Compares principles and practices of educational planning in socialist and capitalist countries, based on criticism and extensions of the discussion of educational planning by B.K. Kluchnikov in a recent issue of "Prospects," (v10 n1 p27ff, 1980). Information is also presented on socialist versus capitalist objectives for educational planning in…

Discusses some of the problems involved in social science teaching at the elementary school level, including general lack of knowledge among subject matter specialists about children, ignorance of child development specialists regarding social science disciplines, and the failure of educators to observe children's behavior before they develop and…

Reviews responses of 30 eighth grade social studies students and 30 11th grade history students to a request that they write a definition of religion. The mass confusion indicated in the responses is intended as a reminder to social studies teachers to define concepts in the context of their use. (DB)

Reviews current approaches to the examination of medical students' clinical competence, mentioning differences in approaches adopted in Australia, Great Britain, and North America. Test methods used in examination are discussed critically and their separate strengths and weaknesses are highlighted. Newer approaches involving multiple methods and…

Discusses a project in which quantitative and qualitative methodologies were combined in an evaluation of the High School Education Law Project (HELP) in Australia. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation were combined in several aspects of the study including field testing of preliminary versions of HELP materials, further evaluation work on…

Data collected by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on 9-, 13-, and 17-year olds for two periods of time show a decline on items dealing with political knowledge and attitudes; but a gain in ability to describe ways to avoid future wars. (Author/MLF) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Results…

The philosophies of House and Rawls are examined as they apply to evaluation practices. It is argued that the relevance of philosophy to evaluation is its sharpening of the sensitivity and intuitions of evaluators to issues of justice, not its ability to justify method. (JMF)

Discusses the state of the humanities in the two-year college. (FL)

Describes and evaluates the effectiveness of a minisociety program which was designed to give elementary school students basic economic skills. Test results are presented. (Author/DB)