This volume considers both the philosophical bases and the practical realities of individualization through the analysis of various approaches to the contract learning process. The first section serves as an introduction to contracting. Chapter 1 develops the concept of contract learning and attempts to set it in perspective within the larger…

Preoccupation with the science of educational evaluation has led educators to overlook the art of evaluation, the ability to make quick and accurate assessments, usually without statistical props. This paper suggests common-sense steps to insure accurate assessment of innovative structures. (1) Know the nature and purpose of innovation. An urban…

Academic program review should not be considered a new phenomenon in higher education; reviews of various types have been conducted on a continuing basis. The renewed importance of an organized effort has been stimulated by the inability of funding sources to maintain levels of support required to insure quality in all on-going programs. Current…

This paper outlines the development process of a Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP) for one Texas school district. The Center for the Management of Innovation in Multicultural Education (MIME) is assisting the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District to develop a comprehensive plan that will answer the whole community's educational needs. The…

The Illinois Board of Higher Education appointed a committee to study: (1) the development and the advantage and disadvantages of the present system of financing; (2) the financial systems of other states with highly developed public educational (community college) systems; (3) the major alternative schemes of financing for the future; and (4)…

In 1973, the Pennsylvania Environmental Education Advisory Council was charged with surveying the current status of environmental education in the state and preparing recommendations for the development and subsequent implementation of a broad-based environmental education program plan for kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12). The Council was…

The following points are made in discussing the practical and political problems involved in implementing a teaching evaluation system for rewarding and improving instructional effectiveness. (1) We have an obligation to put a higher priority on teaching than we have done so far. (2) Any evaluation system should be tied to a strong system for…

Monitors are provided with step-by-step directions on how to administer Pennsylvania's Educational Quality Assessment Questionnaires to elementary school pupils. They are told what materials are needed, how to keep materials secure, and what to do if a student misses a session. Monitors are given suggestions for questionnaire administration and…

This final evaluation report of two ESEA Title III projects conducted by the Training Center for Open-Space Schools, District of Columbia, contains detailed descriptions of the projects' evaluation design, evaluation methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations. Continued on-site training, freedom of choice for teachers, and human relations…

This booklet approaches the question of whether competency-based teacher education (CBTE) and performance-based teacher education (PBTE) can foster meaningful change in teacher preparation programs. The following sections are included: (a) CBTE background and definitions of related terms; (b) a differentiation between PBTE and CBTE, with PBTE seen…

This paper outlines some of the issues and identifies information and resources available in the field of performance-based teacher education (PBTE). Issues include (a) performance or product--concerning the chain of accountability from teacher trainers to teacher trainee, resting on the characteristic of demonstrated performance (with the teacher…

Conducted from October 1970 through August 1971, this assessment of reading was concerned with four age levels--9, 13, 17, and 26-35. A total of 98,016 people responded to a wide variety of reading exercises which were administered and scored by trained professionals. The results were then examined according to various group characteristics: sex,…

New Jersey's legislature, as the result of a decision by the State Supreme Court in Robinson vs Cahill, is now under order to implement the century-old provision in the State's constitution for "a thorough and efficient system of free public schools." In an effort to contribute to the resolution of the problems arising from this order, a…

The meeting was organized around 10 symposia concerning the following areas: teacher evaluation through measurement of student achievement, statewide evaluation, district evaluation procedures, individualized evaluation standards, learning improvement, competency based curriculum, administrative evaluation, student evaluation of the system, and…

There are many reasons why teachers evaluate students: to provide colleges and prospective employers with some measure of a student's skill level; to inform parents of their child's progress; and to provide both teacher and student with a guide to areas needing further attention in the teaching and learning process, to mention three. Just as there…