This paper discusses what the four preceeding papers in this journal have in common and where they differ. All look at William Bennett's lesson on Federalist Paper No. 10 from different perspectives. (MT)

Reports on a study in which an observation technique used to show differences in the communicative orientation of second language classroom interaction was pilot-tested in a variety of instructional settings. The technique was found to be sensitive to the differences in the communication orientations of the four types of classes observed. (SED)

Occasionally situations arise in which a measurement does not lend itself to such traditional methods of reliability estimation as the test-retest, parallel-test, or internal consistency methods. This paper proposes basing reliability estimation in such situations on estimates of validity coefficients as lower bounds. (Author/LMO)

Reviews current teacher evaluation practices with particular focus on the use of observation. Argues that direct observation is an inadequate evaluation technique because it assumes that stability and consistency are necessary for effective teaching. Presents data showing that flexibility is a more accurate characterization of elementary level…

Appendices provide examples of systematic observation of free play, written checklists of play preference items, a discussion of dichotomous choice items, and examples of toy preference ranking procedures. (RH)

A reading observation checklist is presented for principal use in classroom observation. (MD)

Suggests the utilization of more administrative team members in the role of classroom observers. This would include the principal, his assistants, and the department chairmen or supervisors. (Author/RK)

Article explains why personal evaluations by experienced observers may be more accurate assessment tools than standardized tests and statistical studies. A system of recording observations and impressions, through the use of grids, is presented. (RW)

This article reports development of the Rochester School Competency Schedule, a 26-item factor-analytically derived inventory designed to measure the ways in which teachers catergorize student behavior. (Author)

Investigations of relationship of teachers behavior to childrens task behavior in preschool. Less critical, less directive teachers showed a higher rate of children's task behavior. (ST)

Both academic and disruptive behavior in a classroom for children with behavioral problems were monitored under two different procedures for administering token reinforcement. Control may be more efficiently achieved by reinforcing academic behaviors incompatible with disruptive behaviors. (Author/JB)

A review organized around a conceptual scheme of relations between teacher behavior and pupil growth which has some direct support in the research literature.'' (Author)

Discusses the three vital factors upon which information derived from an evaluation instrument depends: (1) the criteria by which teaching performance is judged, (2) the reliability and validity of the acquired data, and (3) the comparison of the evidence against the criteria. (Author/EA)