Explains a state standardized science program evaluation system that includes hands-on activities. Explains the syllabus, workshops, purpose of test, test features and its component parts including sample questions. (RT)

Advocates a quantitative sociological approach to measuring curriculum differentiation and its effects. Research should combine survey with observational methods to examine measures of track organization and instructional activities that are sensitive to organizational and instructional conditions that differ across schools. (Author/BJV)

Describes a collaborative qualitative evaluation of a school-based curriculum project in an Australian elementary school that combined ethnographic, illuminative, and naturalistic methods. Examines the political processes that facilitated and impeded the evaluation process. (FMW)

A committee of major education partners in Saskatchewan developed a curriculum evaluation program to monitor the effectiveness of new provincial curricula. The program recommends gathering data from students, teachers, and school administrators. Assessment strategies include qualitative and quantitative information collected in a variety of ways.…

Using data from a college-level history exam, this study illustrated how assessment of women's academic achievement can be distorted by using tests as measures of student outcomes. It is recommended that use of such tests be limited to examining curricular shortcomings, not evaluating student proficiency. The test is appended. (Author/MSE)

Involving others in school-based decision making will help regain public support for education. A school improvement planning process is described that emphasizes overall student performance and addresses appropriate involvement of educators and local stakeholders in identifying and articulating the knowledge, skills, and understandings teachers…

Presents six library activity guides for reading/language arts, science, and social studies. Each guide contains a section on library media skills objectives, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, activities and procedures for completion, evaluations, and follow-ups. (AEF)

A case-based chemistry curriculum for nurses was developed and evaluated in Israel. Achievement and student attitude results for 194 academic nursing students (4 year) and 212 nonacademic students (3 year), further divided by intensive or regular teaching mode, support the effectiveness of the curriculum and its favorable reception by students.…

Examines religious and moral curricula in "5-14," a national primary-secondary curriculum model in Scotland. Faults moral curriculum for ambiguous description of universal values and terminology that fails to establish objective moral framework apart from "common" or personal judgement. Religious curricula faulted for…

Development of "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics" is story of professional community recognizing need, reaching consensus through review and analysis, and conceiving clear vision and reform strategy. Standards were developed to ensure quality, indicate goals, promote change. Lacking profit motive, educational…

Discusses four topics presented in the science foundation course of the Open University that exemplify current developments in particle physics, in particular, and that describe important issues about the nature of science, in general. Topics include the omega minus particle, the diversity of quarks, the heavy lepton, and the discovery of the W…

A study used computer analysis to examine distribution of basic science content in the 53 cases in the problem-based medical curriculum of Rush Medical College (Illinois) and compared it to application of that content by students and faculty. The method of analysis is recommended for reviewing curricula for omissions and redundancy. (Author/MSE)

Describes the use of computers for evaluating the Alaska Writing Program (AWP), a computer-based writing curriculum that was developed in the Yukon Koyukuk School District. The Computerized Instrument for Writing Evaluation (CIWE) is explained, and CIWE field test results are presented. (six references) (LRW)

Evaluates "Law in a Free Society," a curriculum project of the Center for Civic Education. Details the contents of 11 lessons from the upper elementary school (Level IV) units on justice and 10 lessons from the secondary school (Level VI) units concerning authority. Offers an example of the program's "Exercises in…

Reports on a study of the planned, written, and actual art curricula of 40 selected middle schools. Finds that, although design principles and art appreciation were identified as part of the curriculum, both the written and implemented curriculum was highly oriented toward art production. (CFR)