This article introduces four papers addressing the contribution of special education to educational reform, especially the goals set forth in the America 2000 plan. Issues are raised concerning inclusion or exclusion of students with disabilities in reforms, and the practical nature of special education's contributions are emphasized. (DB)

Allison Rossett and Roger Kaufman, developers of two contrasting needs assessment models (the purposed-based assessment and organizational elements models), answer questions about using their models as frameworks for addressing performance problems affecting public education. The models present contrasting, yet complementary, approaches to needs…

Discusses the problem of educational testing that results in differential educational opportunities for the disadvantaged. It critically examines the proposition that there may be ways to justify the decisions made on the basis of differential test performance that are consistent with the requirements of equality. (GLR)

A pullout desk reference of key school statistics, this 10th annual edition provides a review of the year's big stories in education; key indicators of school performance and progress in areas such as test scores and educational technology; school construction and school bond issues; demographic profiles of school board members and school…

It is argued that New Zealand polytechnics are currently not measuring service quality effectively, particularly from the student's perspective, and that a version of a recently developed measure of service quality, adapted for use in polytechnics, can and should be applied in this sector. (MSE)

Discusses parental attitudes and school self-evaluation. Surveys Scottish parents' attitudes concerning four schools that were developing self-evaluation program. Parents expressed appreciative attitudes toward school efforts. Examines policy implications, focusing on researcher as data analyst, parent-school mediator, and guarantor of…

Describes the development of a history assessment test by Northeast Missouri State University (Kirksville) faculty. Discusses content, problems with design and cooperation, and theories of assessment testing. Includes sample questions demonstrating the cube plan, a technique that involves using a single question to measure three learning…

An analysis of elementary school natural resource lessons (n=700) that focus on ecological principles, on resource management issues, and on analytical skill development affecting students' environmental behavior is presented. The fundamental conclusion is that very few of the lesson materials help to develop critical thinking skills and behaviors…

Cohen and Hyman's response contains several misunderstandings of the original article by Mehrens and Kaminski. One frequently wishes to make inferences to a domain from a test, but teaching a specific performance and testing for that performance does not allow for a domain inference. (SLD)

Compulsory education may be counterproductive for many students. Most children enter school curious/confident/enthusiastic. Successful students exit bored/obedient/passive by simply "getting through," and others perform poorly because of environmental/societal factors. Also, the current emphasis on formalized accountability methods distorts…

Contends that evaluating teaching is just as important as evaluating students. Argues that most teacher evaluation does not examine what students actually learn from the teacher. Recommends the use of written entry performance tests and subsequent written tests to evaluate teaching effectiveness. (CFR)

Inferential conditions in the statistical detection of measurement bias are discussed in the contexts of differential item functioning and predictive bias in educational and employment settings. It is concluded that bias measures that rely strictly on observed measures are not generally diagnostic of measurement bias or lack of bias. (SLD)

The scoring system in cross-country running illustrates that the way in which results are reported and the opportunity to improve through hard work can provide crucial incentives. Establishing incentives that make students dissatisfied with their present effort without being overwhelmed or made fatalistic is a challenging task. (SLD)

Offers a three-point plan for increasing the effectiveness of Jamaica's community college system. The plan consists of a mission statement, a design for three additional colleges, and a financial model to ensure program enhancement, institutional continuity, and greater accessibility. (DMM)

Examines the traditional role assessment has played in college placement, reasons why traditional instruments have been criticized, and alternative affective and cognitive measurements. (MG)