Characteristics of evaluative studies used by California state legislators are discussed: specificity in addressing particular policy decisions; factors which contribute to or hinder the accomplishment of educational objectives; balanced studies with a range of indicators; and attention to local concerns, and to fiscal and legal issues. (MH)

It is suggested that clinical legal education has the potential to strengthen student education, assist teachers, stimulate research and scholarship, and contribute to improving the nation's legal system. Examples of clinical research and activities are drawn from the work done at New York University School of Law. (JMD)

Since contemporary society creates serious problems in the education of youth, it is suggested that carefully planned and executed programs of cooperative education can help ameliorate the situation. The issues of educating for employment and transmitting values are discussed. (Author/LBH)

The provinces of Canada have sole and final legal responsibility for education. For some of them, the task of evaluation may be one they would rather not face, and for others, it may be too expensive. Nevertheless, the responsibility remains theirs. (Author)

Analyzes inspection results for 22 English and Welsh secondary schools to explore the nature of, and responses to, OFSTED (Offices for Standards in Education) inspectors' recommendations about using internal monitoring and evaluation to improve classroom practice. In their action plans, some schools respond with bureaucratic procedures, while…

Responses of nine leaders of education to the following two questions: (1) What are the two most critical issues in K-12 education that should be addressed in the next five years? (2) Why do you think they are the most critical? (TD)

An approach to quality in college instruction at a French technical institute, based on the industrial model of quality assurance, is outlined, and four separate initiatives are described. They include a group organized to implement the approach in a civil engineering department, undergraduate curriculum reform, redefinition of objectives in…

Traces the evolution of the state geography standards in Rhode Island and gives a summary of the work accomplished thus far toward implementing the National Geography Standards. Profiles several state and local initiatives and discusses the Standards that they represent. (MJP)

Highlights from two new studies about teachers here and abroad: "Teaching Mathematics in Seven Countries: Results from the TIMSS 1999 Video Study" and "Preparing Teachers Around the World." (MLF)

This article discusses the underrepresentation of children from minority backgrounds in gifted education and the ultimate goal of gifted education to make children's lives better. Barriers to appropriate gifted identification are discussed and include state/local requirements and inadequate identification procedures, stereotypes and racism, and…

Discusses platform unity, or aligning curriculum content with appropriate test types. Presents findings from a survey of 30 Virginia community college faculty, indicating that the faculty did not plan and test content congruently, tended to overtest content, and were effective but not efficient in test selection. (25 citations) (AJL)

Guidelines for assessing the classroom environment for optimal student performance cover physical environment, time/instructional management, behavior management, and teacher effectiveness. Vignettes illustrate classroom problems and suggest management solutions. A checklist identifies instructional methods and conditions that positively affect…

A consortium of Chicago-area school districts obtained special permission to administer the Third International Mathematics and Science Survey (TIMSS) to consortium students so it could evaluate how its students stacked up against their international peers. TIMSS officials and the U.S. Department of Education are encouraging other districts and…

An introduction to a section on e-learning and effective pedagogy notes the explosive growth of instructional technology and the need for guiding principles in its application. It focuses on two areas: the instructional needs and anticipated outcomes for personnel preparation programs in special education and electronic student assessment.…

This article provides a brief overview of general outcome measurement and its potential for assessment of continuous progress in early childhood education. It describes an eight-step research and development process for the generating and evaluating of individual growth and development indicators. These indicators are adaptable across children,…