The author suggests a simple three-stage model as a guideline for systematic curriculum evaluation: evaluation of goals; collection, organization, and analysis of data; and decision making. (Author)

Reported are results from two runs of the simulation "Bureaucratic Bargaining," developed to help students understand the inherent tension between roles and belief systems in American foreign policy decision making. To determine their belief systems, 165 students enrolled in an introductory international relations course were tested with…

Three questions guided an evaluation of sixth and eighth grade science enrichment activities: (1) Does a free choice interactive program affect cognitive abilities? (2) Do students in a free choice program make predictable selections of activities based on their age, sex, or ability level? and (3) Are specific student choices associated with…

This fourth and final guide in a series of volumes addresses parents who desire assistance in selecting the appropriate school for their child. The guide provides narratives and "real life" descriptions of actual occurrences in schools that advertise themselves as emphasizing a particular style or philosophy of teaching or curricular…

The conversion from quarter to semester plan can be beneficial academically and financially. Some costs borne by a college and its students potentially can be cut by one-third. The process has a potential for strengthening curricula because the conversion necessitates a thorough examination of each course. (MLW)

This guide provides information about 26 school-based sexuality education curricula. Sexuality educators, curriculum planners, administrators, and classroom teachers can use the material to: (1) quickly determine what is published in the area of school-based sexuality curricula; (2) identify specific attributes of sexuality curricula; (3) build a…

This book offers a synthesis of practices and policies in collegiate quality assurance, examining a range of contemporary approaches that include accreditation, student feedback, professional licensure, college rankings and ratings, and other measures of academic quality. A quality assurance model is offered that links principles of good practice…

The effectiveness of a set of curricular activities and differing group experience in facilitating interdependent task structuring by seventh graders were examined. No significant differences were found among the experimental groups, but they structured the task and behaved more cooperatively than the control group. (Author/MH)

This paper presents a decision-making model for comparing, choosing, and implementing social skills curricula that would be appropriate for specific students and settings. The model is structured around three curriculum areas (background, assessment, and instruction) and uses a cost-benefit analysis to assist in making modification decisions.…

In struggling to come to grips with essential skills for beginning educators, it helps to think of the requirements of teaching. Four basic requirements of teaching are: (1) curriculum planning and implementation; (2) instruction; (3) grouping of students; and (4) evaluation. For each of the four requirements of teaching, the teacher must…

Beginning in fall 1982 the Aurora West Public Schools (Illinois) conducted a multi-year study to identify the nature of their instructional programs and to establish a set of position statements that would serve as guides for program review and change. A significant element of the process was the involvement of the entire staff in development of…

The decision by a Reagan administration appointee to terminate funding of 13 validated projects illustrates the influence of politics on policy. (Author)

After acknowledging the complexity and importance of curriculum change, this document offers suggestions for involving students, parents, board members, and graduates in curriculum review. Information on empowering teachers, promoting growth in all adults, and encouraging collaboration is provided as well as necessary steps in curriculum review.…

This analysis exemplifies Texas as 1 of 22 "adoption states" that select textbooks according to systematic state criteria and interprets this approach in relation to textbook reform efforts. Survey data of state committee members' ranking of criteria during the initial selection phase revealed that the top three criteria were…

Viable reading education programs require faculty who not only know the field but also remain sensitive to the many forces controlling program survival. A program will function well only if the administration clearly articulates the management process, responds intelligently to market trends, and includes faculty input in decision making. Among…