Explanations and accounts used by teachers in 4 team meetings to make decisions about 12 pupils with learning and social disabilities were studied. Teachers, under certain circumstances, were able to apply an elucidative model based on shared explanations, but they often used a more restricted model. (SLD)

Presents results of a survey of students' favorite middle and high school courses. Reports that the greatest disparity between most and least favorite subject was recorded for history. Concludes that overall, history was viewed positively by a wider margin than any other subject. Suggests that, although students like history, teachers must…

Describes the use of the observational checklist as an alternative assessment method. Suggests scoring rubrics should be developed to allow students and teachers to understand what standards are expected. Example scoring rubrics for drawing conclusions, creating motion, and group/cooperation skills are presented. (PR)

This study of educational policy in Malta examines the academic, social, and administrative dimensions of professionalism in the Maltese context; Malta's system of corporate patronage and culture of central control; conflicts between educational administrators and practitioners; efforts to decentralize and liberalize the educational system; and…

Test specifications need to take a middle road so that they are not so general that instructional targeting is impossible and not so specific that only unitary assessment targets are fostered. Using illustrative sample items provides a good means of communicating the items eligible to be tested. (SLD)

Critically analyzes initiatives of the South African government, business sector, and community that address with the country's high educational attrition and failure rates and inability to provide basic education services for three million children. Warns against initiatives fostering new elites and condemns capitalist, middle-class values of…

This article discusses what the term "outcomes" encompasses at the national, state, district, and building or classroom level, and provides descriptions of current and proposed strategies for establishing standards and assessing the educational outcomes of students with disabilities. Personal perspectives from national, state, and local educators…

Uses statistical analysis and interviews to examine strategies employed by five small Ontario schools successfully using Independent Learning Courses (ILC). Charts schools' correspondence course completion rates. Surveys administrators. Links ILC success to program structuring, counseling, screening services, student progress monitoring, and…

Describes a national, world-studies, curriculum project in the United Kingdom, with the main goal of promoting world studies in secondary schools. Defines intended outcomes and describes the pilot schools. Traces the project development from 1980-89, through publications, expansion, evaluations, and international links. Lists projects main…

The Society of Park and Recreation Educators periodically surveys leisure studies, parks, and recreation programs, examining enrollment, graduation levels, student and faculty composition, and specialization. The article discusses the 1990 survey, which provides information on the current state of professional preparation. (SM)

Analyzes results of 1896 survey of school inspectors regarding the moral understanding of teachers and pupils in Ontario. Uses school inspectors' commentaries to relate morality and the development of moral character. Makes a distinction between abstract moral obligations and concrete moral customs. (DMM)

This paper discusses issues, conceptual models, and research concerning assessment of educational outcomes for children and adults with disabilities. Considered are a recent report stressing the need for an educated work force, the movement toward national standards and testing, trends toward increased integration and accountability, and the…

Offers a critical review of eight articles and two journal issues dealing with school indicators of student success or failure; state models for school improvement and accountability; teacher burnout as an outcome of paperwork burdens; the impact of reform efforts; class size; trends in educational evaluation; mastery testing; departmentalization…

The lack of sound and practical guidelines and materials, which precludes adequate technical assistance, is one cause of the inferior quality of evaluation practices in bilingual education. Other contributing factors include incompetent program evaluators, misinformed local administrations, inappropriate state and federal policies, and complex…

Overcoming the following obstacles will set the stage for meaningful school reform: (1) asking the wrong questions; (2) inadequate teacher preparation for reform; (3) opinions of "friendly" critics and inadequate advocates; (4) contempt for practitioners working directly with children; and (5) the criteria used to judge success. (SLD)