Definitions of literacy range from school-based models to functional skills to social constructivist approaches. Assessment practices reflect particular definitions. Literacy practitioners are encouraged to adopt a social constructivist worldview that challenges the current skills-based model for accountability. (Author/SK)

This paper reviews the literature on functional assessment in the behavioral treatment of aggression in persons with mental retardation or developmental delays. Increased use of functional assessment and skill training is noted but no concomitant decrease in the use of intrusive procedures. (Author/DB)

Reviews research on student assessment and placement, focusing on problems and questions; methods of assessment; establishing cut scores; and evaluation of course placement systems. Includes an extensive bibliography. (LAL)

Current methods and instruments for assessing college student academic outcomes are identified and described, and possible outcome measures of NCRIPTAL's (National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning) are suggested. Section I defines college outcomes from several perspectives, including pressures for outcome…

This article views literacy as a broad-based set of abilities reflecting intelligence across many competencies, including language, musical, logical, kinesthetic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, linguistic, and spatial competencies. Described is a model of language competence which allows for assessment of those language skills bearing on academic…

A review of current research on workplace literacy programs reveals few programs reporting rigorous evaluations. Assessments are often limited to the completion of questionnaires, surveys of program participants, and anecdotal reports of effectiveness. Occasionally, a standardized reading test provides an indication of learner gains. Only a few…

This paper presents the findings of a qualitative, instrumental case study that examined students' academic preparedness, as well as assessment and placement policy in 15 community colleges in 6 states across the country. Although most community colleges mandate basic skills assessment for all entering freshmen, many do not require low-scoring…

This paper examines the nature of student conduct disorders, including both the origin and treatment of such disorders. In Part I, distinguishing characteristics of the syndrome are discussed and issues related to philosophy, definition, and delivery of services are considered. Two major subcategories of conduct disorder, socialized and…

This collection of 23 essays on the applications of technology in education, commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education, is divided into four chapters. The first chapter examines the effect of media on the message to be delivered, and includes essays on classroom use of television, the use of computers to support the learner, and…

This document is a collection of 46 papers concerning the use of microcomputers in vocational education. Most of the papers relate hands-on experiences that vocational educators in various parts of the country have had with microcomputers in vocational education subjects, while others include suggested ways of coping with computer introduction,…