This paper presents a plan of action for managing evaluation implementation and ensuring the ongoing utilization of evaluation results. It addresses strategies that are required to manage the problems encountered in a 10-step management plan. Focus is on introducing an evaluation monitoring system within organizations. Steps in the plan include:…

This monograph provides teachers and teacher trainees with practical assistance in evaluating and documenting school-level innovations. Authentic and concrete illustrations culled from reports of evaluations of innovative projects funded by the Australian Schools Commission are featured. Examples are used to illustrate seven major aspects which…

Discusses strategies designed to increase the instrumental use of program evaluation findings based on experiences in Australian schools. Highlights include an evaluation plan; awareness of the evaluation; timely reporting techniques; guidelines for implementation of findings; and the role of the evaluator as change agent. (Contains 21…

This document provides units to assist teachers and parents in evaluating kindergarten and preschool curricula. Preparing an evaluation and planning an evaluation are covered in units I and II. Two other units have been written as resource documents and present data-gathering methods and ways of reporting and using information. The authors stress…

Addresses the value of quantitative management and its potential to support qualitative sources of information and to help rural school administrators recognize patterns and trends relevant to educational planning and administration. Describes three situations in which quantitative information was used for improving educational outcomes and school…

Time series analysis is applied to an assessment of the temporary and permanent impact of the 1975 Australian Family Law Act and its effect on number of divorces. The application and construct validity of the model is examined. (Author/PN)

The paper presents a systems model for the evaluation of prevocational preparation programs for the learning disabled in Australia. The need for accountability in the area of the development of programs for the prevocational preparation of the learning disabled is discussed. Various approaches to evaluation are explored, and a systems model is…

This guide promotes the use of natural supports to assist individuals with severe disabilities. The first two sections review the development of natural supports in the workplace, including changes in perspectives on the role of persons with disabilities, utilization issues, and the definition of natural supports. A seven-step process reflecting…

This document provides guidelines for the process of moderation and verification of assessments for educators involved in adult education. As used in the education establishment in Australia, "moderation" is the process of ensuring the standardization of assessment. Through the moderation process, assessment procedures conducted in a…

When evaluating student performance, teachers often find themselves in a quandary. Teachers must judge, sometimes with firm frankness, while also demonstrating caring. Fortunately, assessment in schools is moving away from judgment to embrace the notion of teachers and students sitting beside one another during the teaching, learning, and…

In developmental assessment, teachers monitor student progress against a map of developing skills, knowledge, and understanding. Portfolio assessment is a tool to use in developmental assessment, and there are many types of portfolios to support developmental assessment of students. When considering a portfolio type, it is important to consider…

Projects are extended pieces of work completed over a period of time. They provide contexts for the assessment of general skills, as well as the ability to apply subject-specific knowledge and skills. Some of the general skills that projects demonstrate are collecting and organizing information, solving problems, working in a group, and…

Australia's recent experience with performance indicators for evaluation and funding of higher education institutions suggests principles concerning: selecting appropriate, relevant, and reliable indicators; providing expert judgment in interpretation of indicators; considering institutional context and priorities; providing incentives for good…

This guide is intended to support teachers and practitioners implementing Australia's new beginner English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) curriculum Certificates in English Language Literacies in the adult community education sector. The guide is part of a professional development project that includes a series of metropolitan and rural workshops for…

The role of different types of testing instruments in second language programs is discussed. Knowledge-based tests, including discrete-point and integrative tests are contrasted with direct tests, including the Foreign Service Institute Scale and the Australian Second Language Proficiency Ratings (ASLPR). The ASLPR is described in detail in terms…