Presents a syllabus for an introductory political science course. Includes a course outline, description, list of textbooks and readings, requirements, and grading policy. The course is structured in thematic units including the context of politics, acting in politics, the work of government, and alternative arenas of government. (MJP)

An approach has been developed at the US Military Academy (New York) to supplement computer-assisted instruction for weaker students. Four components include computerized grading and feedback on nightly assignments, in-class group exercises that are quickly graded, an adaptive hypermedia interface to the hypermedia course based on individual…

Uses data from black male 8th and 10th graders to explore key issues affecting their achievement and engagement in school. Findings show a need to rethink current secondary-school disciplinary policies, especially suspension, extra-help delivery, and remedial courses because these areas explain important differences in engagement and achievement…

Techniques used by one college teacher to motivate, encourage, and lead students to success in college and beyond include exemplifying education's value, reinforcing effort, offering diversity in assignment types, being persistent with individual students, using student self-assessment, upholding deadlines and standards, being accessible,…

Attempts, most unsuccessful, to reform India's university examination system are chronicled, including curriculum reform, increased frequency of public examinations, introduction of internal assessment, development of item banks, changeover to a grading system, shift to semesters, improved administration, and creation of autonomous colleges. The…

Approximately 900 teachers in Virginia were surveyed to assess teachers' competencies in the 7 basic assessment areas identified in the "Standards for Teacher Competence in Educational Assessment of Students." Results will be used in designing training material in assessment for inservice teacher education. (SLD)

A formative evaluation of computer conferences for 100 preservice teachers over five semesters examined why and how students participated, focusing on grading system, grouping, collaboration, relevance, learner control, and technological preparation. Student conference messages and postcourse surveys from the first and last semesters were examined…

This study investigated the teacher expectancy effects (also called Pygmalion effects) on the grading of both fourth-grade spelling tests and eighth-grade essay tests by 19 teachers in central Virginia public schools. Spelling tests contained the same five misspellings, but differed in the legibility and gender of the sample. The essays varied…

This digest provides a review of the research literature on assessment of the effectiveness of higher education in producing graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for well-educated citizens today. Major findings are grouped as answers or partial answers to the following nine questions: (1) "what are the critical competencies and…

This handbook contains a collection of 10 essays on practical skills needed by correspondence educators. The emphasis is on the "how to" of home study. The scope of the handbook includes coverage of the major aspects of providing instructional and administrative service to students, from how to organize the student services department to…

A study of assessment practices focused on vocational schools, especially those concerned with developing generic workplace skills, as well as comprehensive secondary schools that are developing closer relations with the workplace. The major reasons for educational testing in secondary schools are managing student learning, monitoring educational…

The impact of portfolio assessment, specifically writing portfolios, on the norms of classroom assessment practices were studied in two English Language Arts classes in a middle class suburban high school in the Los Angeles (California) area. Data were gathered through observations and interviews, and the examination of 25 student portfolios, with…

Considerable study has been focused on relationships between learning styles and other characteristics and conditions, such as teaching styles, achievement, student age, and student gender. In 1991, a study was conducted on two campuses of a comprehensive community college in the southeast to measure the effect on course grades of the relationship…

A study was conducted at John Abbott College to establish the reliability and validity of holistic evaluation for assessing learning in content courses. The study involved: (1) an informal poll of members of 22 departments concerning the acceptability of holistic evaluation within their department; (2) a faculty survey to ascertain opinions…

The result of a comprehensive review by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges of the minimum standards entitling community college districts to receive state aid, this report provides background information, summarizes proposed changes, and offers the complete text of a revised set of regulations. Section I presents…