Managers within the computing services environment face interesting management challenges, including technological change. A manager is required to exercise judgment to ensure that people understand organizational performance standards. Correct evaluation is the most crucial part of personnel management. (Author/MLW)

Describes a feedback method for teaching interviewing skills that requires dual evaluation of a student's performance by both the student interviewer and the interviewee. Illustrates benefits of this method with an analysis of 139 paired assessments of students' information-gathering skills in a "career interview" assignment. (PD)

Ten examples of quick and easy classroom assessment techniques, carried out by higher education faculty in 10 different disciplines, are described. The techniques, designed to inform and inspire faculty to adjust classroom instruction, focus on four dimensions of learning: declarative, procedural, conditional, and reflective. (MSE)

An alternative management model was implemented to increase teacher productivity in an institutional school for 185 mildly to severely mentally retarded children. The model included three components: a management structure that allowed for problem solving while still motivating staff; an inservice program for staff; and an evaluation system to…

The premise of this book is that the primary purpose of classroom assessment is to inform teaching and improve learning, not to sort and select students or to justify a grade. The common principles of effective assessment are covered, and the strengths and limitations of a variety of effective approaches are reviewed. Vignettes illustrate…

Testing can be a time-consuming and tedious method of evaluation. This article suggests methods which don't take additional classroom time or turn students off, and which provide more immediate and constructive feedback than routine testing. (IAH)

Describes a technique in which students deliver their speeches three times, each time to a different third of the class. Helps beginning speech students develop self-confidence and communication effectiveness more rapidly and thoroughly than is usually achieved in standard classroom speaking formats. (PD)

Some of the special challenges associated with evaluation and grading in the large class are discussed. Suggestions for evaluation methods include seeking clarity, reducing the stress of test administration, giving feedback, guarding against errors in record keeping, and returning exams efficiently and with respect. (MLW)

Assessment via tests and examinations may be viewed as burdensome, coercive, and irrelevant by gifted students. Teachers can help students overcome negative attitudes toward assessment by: assessing students' best (as opposed to typical) efforts; involving students in planning and developing the assessment program; and providing specific,…

To ensure due process in teacher evaluations, administrators should follow 13 guidelines, including making teachers aware of the school district's expectations and its evaluation plan, obeying requirements in contracts and state and local laws, and helping teachers correct their deficiencies. (RW)

Guidelines are offered to a college or university for conducting a communication audit. These include steps in planning the audit, use of the variety of tools available for administering the audit, the development and feedback to the institution, and development of recommendations to improve institutional communication. (JMF)

Intended primarily for human resources managers who are responsible for the development of executives, this paper lays out the potential advantages and hazards of enhanced feedback. It first looks at enhanced feedback and its rationale in detail. Four sources of data are described: numerical ratings and verbatim comments; data from the workplace…

The Utah System of Higher Education's method for appraising presidents is described as a mirror effect to provide the results of confidential interviews conducted with a variety of competent individuals knowledgeable about the work of presidents. The procedures are outlined and four benefits are cited. (MLW)

One of the benefits of performance based assessment is its allowance for the teacher to gather information about how the student understands and applies knowledge. In this Digest, the basic steps a teacher should take to plan and execute effective performance-based assessment are outlined. Coverage includes the steps of planning and executing…

A study of a medical student clinical assessment program since 1986 at the University of Massachusetts indicates student awareness of increased faculty observation and increased feedback to students during and following clinical rotations. Results indicate a conscious faculty effort to improve students' clinical skills by improved observation and…