Traditional methods for conducting performance evaluations of academic courses are somewhat limited in that they are unable to account for both quantitative and qualitative data. For example, the data used to assess student performance in a typical industrial design course are generally complex, multi-criteria, multi-variable, and frequently vague…

These are the appendixes for the report, "What Tools Have States Developed or Adapted to Assess Schools' Implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports/Response to Intervention Framework?" Most states are using a multi -tiered system of supports (MTSS) or response to intervention (RTI) framework for improving the quality of…

This document includes two technical appendices that accompany the main report, "English Learner Trajectories and Reclassification." The two appendices include: (1) Methodology; and (2) Supporting Tables and Figures. [For the full report, see ED603764.]

aimswebPlus® is an assessment, data management, and reporting system that provides national and local performance and growth norms for the screening and progress monitoring of math and reading skills for all students in kindergarten through 8th grade. aimswebPlus uses two types of measures: (1) "curriculum-based measures" (CBMs)--brief,…

The first step in the Validity and Reliability Study summarizes the history and purpose of California's quality rating and improvement system (QRIS), reviews findings from other QRIS evaluation studies, and describes the approach to validating the system in California. The majority of this report focuses on providing context for the California…

Recently, the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) completed a study to connect the scale of the North Carolina State End of Grade (EOG) Testing Program used for North Carolina's mathematics and reading assessments with NWEA's Rausch Interval Unit (RIT) scale. Information from the state assessments was used in a study to establish…

Instructional strategies aimed at improving achievement of low performing student subgroups in need of support were selected by the District Improvement Advisory Committee, so that WCPSS could exit District Improvement status. Impact of each initiative, which often included teacher training and coaching is examined in this implementation report.…

The "PISA 2009 Technical Report" describes the methodology underlying the PISA 2009 survey. It examines additional features related to the implementation of the project at a level of detail that allows researchers to understand and replicate its analyses. The reader will find a wealth of information on the test and sample design,…

Classroom teachers, specialists and school principals will find this "List of Assessment Resources for English as a Second Language (ESL)" useful for determining the level of instruction for new students, measuring student growth, communicating about student learning, and for applying for ESL funding and for special considerations on…

A study investigating the degree of agreement between teacher evaluators using a standard set of evaluation criteria and evaluation methods examines the test reliability of the Classroom Procedures Assessment Instrument, the Interpersonal Skills Assessment Instrument, and the Teaching Plans and Materials Assessment Instrument. Two statistical…

The parallel analysis method for determining the number of components to retain in a principal components analysis has received a recent resurgence of support and interest. However, researchers and practitioners desiring to use this criterion have been hampered by the required Monte Carlo analyses needed to develop the criteria. Two recent…

Over 20 years ago, the first university rankings entered public attention in the United States. Since then, there have been numerous other efforts to rank or rate universities or university departments. University report cards have become both popular with the public and increasingly important for academic institutions. A detailed examination of…

With a continuing emphasis on improving student reading achievement across the nation, many elementary educators are exploring the idea of initiating a volunteer reading tutoring program. Although individuals associated with tutoring programs may think about implementation issues, often the focus is on program location, the recruitment and…

A sample of 30 instructors nominated as effective teachers to the Piper Foundation and 31 randomly selected control instructors from the same 14 Texas colleges were evaluated by students, former students, administrators, peers, and the instructors themselves. The research instrument incorporated ten sets of characteristics expressed as polar…

This report focuses on the extent to which conclusions about the effectiveness of compensatory education programs are affected by (1) the period of time on which the evaluation is based, and (2) the standard against which the program is judged. Previously collected evaluation data from four compensatory education programs (grades 1-8) are…