Problems encountered during the implementation of a statewide educational accountability plan in Mississippi are typical of those reported in the literature. This article reviews the development of the plan, the direction of implementation process has taken, and proposals for the future. (PGD)

The status of mathematics assessment in Canada is described by province within region. A table provides an overview of the testing programs. Differences and similarities among the programs are noted, but results are not included. (MNS)

Argues against the inclusion of a writing sample as part of the GED examination. (AEA)

Students of varying achievement levels were tested to determine the relationship between proofreading standardized test and written spelling test scores and to find if significant differences exist between mean scores of the two tests. Proofreading tests seem to be justified when information on spelling ability in general is desired. (Author/DF)

This state survey analyzed the status of environmental education, future plans, and needs for implementing or improving environmental education. The results indicated that 69 percent of the districts did not require environmental education and 36 percent did not include it all. (MR)

States that standardized tests and statistical information, as evaluated by district offices, state departments of education, or federal agencies, cannot provide an objective measure of educational quality. Education--as opposed to rote performance--is contingent upon good teaching, which is best evaluated through direct observation by…

Discusses the situation in Florida where districts must report the results of program evaluations made by the state department of education and gives suggestions for the way in which these scores should be made public. (IRT)

State legislatures have demanded hard figures on what their dollars are producing in the schools. Today, 43 states have some sort of assessment program. (Author/MLF)

The current and potential impact of television as an educational instrument is examined. Excellence and problems in both public and commercial broadcasting are cited. (LBH)

This paper makes the case that value added assessment (VAA) is one potential tool for increasing the accuracy of inferences regarding school effects, even though it is far from being a panacea. The promise of VAA rests in its focus on individual growth trajectories and its perceived ability to isolate the influence of a school from other factors…

This paper describes a process and an organizational structure in which Institutional Effectiveness (IE) can thrive. When such a system is implemented, continuous quality improvement can be sustained for the long term. Key concepts and philosophies found in the literature regarding continuous quality improvement and assessment in higher education…

Students in Durham, North Carolina, who do not perform on grade level in grades 3, 5, and 8 must attend an 18-day summer school. End-of-grade tests in reading and math, given twice, and teacher ratings of achievement level determine who must attend. An end-of-grade test given when the summer session concludes decides whether the student is…

This Digest addresses the benefits of formative assessment and provides examples and resources to support its implementation. Formative assessment is the diagnostic use of assessment to provide feedback to teachers and students over the course of instruction. Since the goal of formative assessment is to gain an understanding of what students know…

This collection is designed to assist new and experienced faculty members who are teaching in interdisciplinary settings and who want to advance the integrative learning of their students and administrators who want to encourage integrative and interdisciplinary teaching in their institutions. Following an introduction, Laying a Foundation for…