The Research and Evaluation Support Services Unit of the New South Wales (Australia) Department of Education conducts program evaluations to provide information to senior management for decision making. The 10-step system used is described, which provides for planning, evaluation, and staff development. (TJH)

This study investigated measurement integrity of the Inventory of Parent Experiences, using parents of 66 intact families, half including children with handicaps. Results were unsupportive of the hypothesis that subscale and subsubscale scores have requisite measurement characteristics. Results with IPE total scores were more favorable and…

Red Light-Green Light is a levels system providing immediate behavior modification feedback and varying privilege levels throughout the school day for primary students with behavior disorders. This article presents guidelines for implementation, covering development of classroom rules, classroom expectations, and system maintenance. Tips for…

The Evaluation and Programming System: Assessment Level I (EPS-I) was evaluated for effectiveness in developing individual education goals among handicapped or at-risk infants and young children. Early interventionists (N=48) used EPS-I and other instruments to develop goals which were compared. Findings indicate EPS-I goals were functional,…

Discusses the need to examine critically the methods, programs, and materials used with American Indian students. It is suggested that individual differences among students in the classroom can provide an incentive for teachers to provide a rich variety of lessons, teaching strategies, learning activities, and testing challenges. (Author/VWL)

Discussion of computer-based testing (CBT) focuses on the development of the database format question (DFQ) which allows the user to build up a more complex answer than multiple choice by selecting items from a database presented on the computer screen. Programing is explained and an evaluation of DFQ is included. (Seven references) (LRW)

Discussion of courseware development focuses on a transaction shell approach that stresses flexibility and reusability of the courseware. Topics discussed include high-level programing languages, authoring languages, authoring systems, knowledge structures, and knowledge acquisition; and an example for applying the transaction shell approach to…

Describes various types of writing across the curriculum (WAC) programs and issues in program implementation, examines the implications of WAC programs for teaching basic writers, and outlines some instructional strategies that can be used by teachers to prepare basic writing students for participation in WAC programs. (PAA)

Presents six key questions to ask about any instructional resource. Suggests a few specific questions to ask when selecting decoding and comprehension games and manipulatives. Presents seven instructional games and manipulatives appropriate for classroom use. (MG)

This study of 52 learning-disabled children, aged 8-13, found that direct feedback and practice improved metaphor interpretation. The approach was highly successful in teaching students to generalize concrete concepts to abstract ones. Further descriptive analyses indicated that grade and reading levels of subjects correlated with metaphor…

The coordinator of several administrative searches at the State University of New York (Cortland) offers guidance to administrative job seekers. As finalists often have similar educational and professional qualifications, elements of character such as style, personality, charm, and thoughtfulness may make the crucial difference. (DB)

Presents seven principles for applying technology to training and development problems. Based on General Systems Theory (GST), these principles were developed to help with long-term decisions. Highlights include instructional systems development models; complexity in cultural systems; matching training materials to user characteristics; systems…

Discusses the positive effects of cooperative learning on students' academic achievement, attitudes toward each other, and social and affective development. Describes two cooperative learning techniques with broad utility and adaptability: the jigsaw strategy and student teams achievement division. (SV)

Four sessions of coed outdoor adventure camp were evaluated to determine the effects on self-concept of the teenage participants. Differences in results were attributed to differences in the organization of each camp session. (Author/CW)

Compared was the mathematical performance of secondary school students for whom a graphic calculator was a standard mathematical tool, with that of students of similar background without regular access to graphing technology. Increased achievement on symbolization tasks, especially for females, was shown for students who used the graphing…