To evaluate pupil achievement in the area of elementary school social studies, selected evaluation techniques are discussed and practical suggestions for implementation are offered. The discussed techniques include: (1) work samples, (2) rating scales, (3) checklists, (4) teacher observation, (5) sociometric devices, (6) anecdotal records, (7)…

Teachers need to align learning opportunities with state-mandated objectives. This process should begin with assessing the curriculum, possibly through the use of a 10-point scale by teachers, administrators, support personnel, and parents. To implement the needed learning opportunities, tenets from educational psychology should be used in…

This paper considers some of the similarities and differences between education and business in view of the fact that there are many who advocate that the public schools follow a business model in their operations. Salaries of executives in education, and superintendents in particular, tend to be lower than those of business executives, and their…

This paper analyzes different approaches to assess learner achievement in the spelling curriculum. The following topics are discussed: assessment of spelling and the basal textbook, using spelling words for mastery based on research, individualized spelling, use of spelling words in context, standardized spelling tests, and the functional approach…

Noting that it is vital to pay careful attention to designing the reading curriculum, this document outlines the following issues: objectives in reading curriculum; learning activities; methods of teaching; assessment of student achievement; supervision in the reading curriculum; and philosophy of evaluation. Questions which arise pertaining to…

This guide contains suggestions for interpreting educational research results and, indirectly, makes suggestions for research report writers. The purpose of the study and hypotheses should be stated clearly. Several approaches to reporting statistical results are outlined, and some suggestions are made for evaluating the results of…

Whatever has happened to using teacher observation as an approach to assess student achievement? Presently, the emphasis is upon state mandated testing to ascertain student progress. Much is written in educational journals about having students achieve No Child Left Behind (NCLB) federal and state standards, signed into law in 2002. Much drill is…

Three methods of appraising student achievement are discussed: (1) the measurement movement (MM); (2) problem solving (PS) in the curriculum; and (3) decision making (DM) in the curriculum. MMs in education emphasize: verification of student achievement results; objective procedures; alignment of learning opportunities with test items; teaching…

The role of the principal in evaluating student achievement is discussed in this paper. The principal is in a leadership position and has the duty of improving the ways in which students are evaluated. Educators often are blamed for poor academic achievement for which they really cannot be held responsible, but there certainly are areas in which…

Selected issues must be considered in choosing an effective assessment method from diverse procedures. External means of evaluation stress the use of national and state-developed tests to measure student achievement. In addition to external evaluations of students, administrators may use external tests for teachers. Internal means of evaluating…

The use of portfolios in assessing student achievement is contrasted with the use of standardized tests. Portfolios are considered more subjective than scores from standardized tests, and they present different issues in assessing and reporting student progress. Interscorer reliability may be a problem because of a lack of agreement about the…

This paper discusses some of the ways to assess learner achievement in history. Standardized tests are used frequently by states to measure learner achievement. There are many weaknesses inherent in using standardized tests to measure student achievement in history, especially the fact that the test may not be valid for the local classroom since…

Three commonly used means of assessment of student achievement are discussed. First, standardized tests are often used to assess student achievement. These tests are developed by professional testing and measurement specialists who are completely removed from the local student and classroom. There are many objections to the use of standardized…

Many changes have occurred in techniques used to appraise student achievement in social studies, and these new approaches may put teachers in a better position to notice the progress of individual students and then plan for sequential learning. Some of the deficiencies of traditionally used standardized tests have been overcome through the use of…

Approaches used to evaluate student progress depend on the educational philosophy involved, because each philosophy determines what learners should learn. Approaches reviewed include (1) the testing movement; (2) self-evaluation by students; (3) idealism and the evaluation process; (4) experimentation and evaluation; and (5) perennialism and…