In the original paper, it was argued that while there is an array of methods and methodologies available, their use is delimited by the culture of accountability that prevails in public sector institutions, a fact that is particularly problematic given the complexity and diversity of evaluation contexts today. This short rejoinder, to responses…

This monograph has grown out of a series of discussions and a six-month period of reading and reflecting on the literature which were initiated by Fritz Mosher's suggestions to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to examine the "standards" question. Conversations with Mosher himself and the staff of NAEP have been most…

Much grading of student work is based, overtly or tacitly, on assumptions derived from scientific measurement. However, the practice of grading and the cumulation of grades into an overall index of achievement are socially constructed activities that fall a long way short of what is expected of scientific measurement. If scientific measurement is…

Assessment has long been beset by a dichotomy between what Lynch (2003: 4) termed the positivist and interpretivist orientations. The former views assessment as a technical exercise involving the quantification of learners' knowledge or cognitive abilities; the latter considers assessment as the humanistic endeavor of portraying learners'…

Like many other colleges and universities, Hofstra University now requires each department to create a "mission statement." Then, on the basis of this statement, a set of more specific curricular goals and objectives have to be created and, finally, a set of quantitative, behavioral criteria by which to assess the department's efforts. This new…

This paper discusses the utility, versatility, and pros and cons of the formal performance appraisal as one of the tools of management by objectives (MBO). Rather than rating the traits of an employee, performance appraisal based on MBO rates an employee's achievements toward both his professional goals and institutional goals. The paper outlines…

Argues for a student assessment based on the goals of the course. In this way, the assessment is democratic, resulting from a very clear understanding on everyone's part of what has to be done to obtain a satisfactory assessment. (HOD)

This synthesis paper represents the input of 60 respondents to a working paper on a conceptual model of educational outcomes for children and youth with disabilities. The input is organized around the broad areas of: (1) underlying assumptions, (2) the conceptual outcomes model and indicators, (3) unresolved issues, and (4) general…

This discussion of goal setting as a means of directing organizational, supervisory, and individual achievement presents the factors involved in goal-based planning at these three levels within the library context, including planning strategies, evaluation methods, and possible problems at each level. (CLB)

Though extensive research has been conducted to measure educational outcomes in terms of quantity and cost, there has been little discussion or analysis of educational quality and its measurement. Quality may be defined in terms of whether a service or product meets or exceeds prespecified standards and can be measured in relation to defined…

The Koan technique was originated by Zen masters to help students open up to new possibilities and to help the individual realize his/her full potential. The staff developer should be engaged in the same process. Important factors in the evaluation process of staff development are listed. (JN)

Discusses criteria to apply to key aspects of the inspection and monitoring process in modern language instruction. Quality assurance includes assessment of the whole learning environment. Ten characteristics of a good modern language lesson are listed. (six references) (CK)

Criticizes the secretaries of state for education and science because their nationally agreed upon statements on course objectives, content, and assessment methods are too narrow and confining. (DF)

Discusses student evaluation in foreign-language courses and argues that passing a multiple-choice test should not be a course objective. Suggests that achieving such an objective does not ensure that students understand the topic or that they will use their new knowledge in new situations, nor that they know how to analyze to the appropriate…

In this book comprised of six chapters, multiple aspects of competency based education (CBE) are discussed contextually by various authors in terms of the current educational climate wherein the primary emphasis is upon learning outcomes rather than the process of learning itself. To illuminate the notion of competence, Chapter 1 presents:…