Argues that "we are moving toward the notion that the national policy-oriented evaluation may not ask a useful question--useful neither to the national policy-maker nor to the educator. On the other hand, the research question which seeks to understand the teaching/learning process (rather than to evaluate a program) may ultimately be the most…

Describes the development and activities of the National Center on Educational Outcomes, an OSEP-funded center that provides national leadership in the identification of outcomes, indicators, and assessments to monitor educational results for all students, including students with disabilities. The development of a model of educational outcomes is…

Reviews findings of four national Scottish surveys of science achievement, 1985-97, within the Assessment of Achievement Programme (AAP). Examines AAP responses to changing educational policy and the increasingly political context of national achievement monitoring. Discusses the AAP's contributions to development of standards and practical forms…

Results of a survey completed by 60 representatives of institutions and a questionnaire answered by 55 employers suggest that there will continue to be a shortfall in the number of measurement professionals graduating from educational programs in measurement relative to the number of available employment opportunities, and that this is especially…

Differences in attitude toward classroom testing were studied with 219 college faculty members and 108 students. Although both groups acknowledged the importance of tests, more positive attitudes were found for faulty members rather than students, and the greatest discrepancy in attitude scores was for items regarding the fairness of tests. (SLD)

For the past 10 years the South Carolina Department of Education annually has rewarded the top 20% of its public elementary schools. Identifies a positive relationship between larger schools and sustained academic achievement, although the impact of size was relatively small. Smaller schools tended to be serving students in lower socioeconomic…

This paper describes a year-long staff development program to improve the evaluation skills of 77 district program coordinators. Results suggest that training, based on the Purdue Three-Stage Model, was effective in helping coordinators become more skilled program evaluators. Implications for program evaluation, personnel development, and outcomes…

This article outlines the standards, accountability and assessment measures mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In addition to summarizing the accountability measures, the author outlines the consequences associated with failing to meet performance expectations and provides a comprehensive list of NCLB assessment vocabulary terms and…

Begins by distinguishing between internal and external forms of assessment. Methods and criteria for internal assessment are determined by the appropriate academic and governance structures within the institution. External assessment criteria usually are determined by an entity outside of an individual institution. Examines the utility of…

Forty-nine African American children (ages 3-5) enrolled in Head Start were assessed using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. Their mean score was significantly lower than the mean for the normative sample. Few items were systematically missed; instead, performance seemed reflective of socioeconomic and/or ethnic patterns of vocabulary usage.…

Describes the organizational culture at Shoreline Community College (Washington) and how it supports data collection and assessment throughout the institution. Traces the development of the culture and identifies key organizational practices and characteristics underlying the college's commitment to assessment theory and practice. (Contains 12…

Describes Ireland's participation in an international comparative study investigating childhood services settings, types of services used, and reasons for particular choices (the IEA Preprimary Project). Provides account of recent developments in early education in Ireland, addresses the question of quality in service provision, and describes…

This paper explores assessment issues that are problematic in a performance-based subject in a school-based assessment context, that of secondary school physical education in Queensland (Australia). A strength of the program has been its movement toward authentic assessment characterized by relevant tasks. (SLD)

Provides a bibliography of introductory resources regarding community college leadership roles. Explores whether there is a leadership crisis in the community college, if such a leadership crisis can be predicted, and if there is, actually, an excess of leadership. (Contains 15 resources.) (AUTH/NB)

This article reviews research associated with instructional programs on writing strategies that are part of the "Learning Strategies Curriculum." The research shows that secondary students with disabilities can learn to use complex writing strategies to such an extent that they can write multi-paragraph themes appropriate for general education…