The aim of the TEEODE project was to develop a representative survey of the models of assessment and evaluation used by institutions supporting distance learning in the 15 member states of the European Union. This paper focuses on issues of course development and assessment, and, in particular, on how effective learning outcomes are achieved and how the learning is communicated to the learner. The emphasis is on the tutors' perceptions, teaching assessment, and support-related issues. The introduction provides an overview of the project and a summary of "deep" and "surface" approaches to learning. Development of the Course Tutor Questionnaire and the survey sample (n=224) are then described; use of an online questionnaire widened the sample to include data from Israel, Mexico, and the United States. Results in the following areas are discussed: the tutors, the courses, the students, assessment of the courses, production of the assessment material, delivery of the assessment instruments, and staff development. Four tables present data on the subject areas of ODE (Open and Distance Education) courses, the level of courses, main objectives for assessing students, and areas in which advice and/or training would be appreciated by the tutors. (DLS)