The paper considers the current international trend towards standards-based evaluation in a historical and comparative perspective. Based on a systematization of evaluation perspectives and tools, two basic patterns of curriculum control are discussed: process evaluation, and product evaluation. Whereas the first type has dominated the Continental…

Describes the Scottish Assessment in Home Economics Research Project. The project developed and tested new forms of home economics assessment techniques for secondary schools. (RM)

Described are some results of the British teacher assessment in public examinations project that is studying the impact of teachers' involvement in assessment. The project is focusing on the ways in which assessments are conducted and moderated and the changes in teaching that teacher involvement in examining might make. (RM)

Describes assessment for vocational education within the European Community. Discusses the problems of increasing participation in postcompulsory education, decreasing demand for unskilled labor, and the need to specialize. Includes assessment as a vehicle of change in the attempt to form a unified European Community. Concludes that achieving…

Describes assessment in the German school system as regular, systematic, and officially controlled through legislation. Emphasizes that even strict grading levels combine criterion and norm referencing because teacher determination must include a subjective element. Concludes that other systems may best learn negative lessons from the German…

Describes the use of school-based evaluation systems in Australia. Evaluations are collaborative efforts involving teachers, parents, students, and relevant administrators. A seven step process for facilitating evaluations is outlined. (AM)

Examines the uniformity of the nationally defined syllabuses and examinations in the French educational system. Describes the dynamism of the system within the secondary sector. Discusses the various schools types within the system. Addresses problems with the testing system such as overcomprehensiveness, waste of resources, and heavy preparatory…

Discusses the current state of student evaluation in Scotland. Describes elementary school evaluations as consisting of external tests and teacher assessments to be thought of in linear terms. Examines the more formal assessment structure of secondary schools for academic and vocational education. Concludes that evaluation has had little impact on…

Reviews the increased attention to and skepticism about student assessment and standardized testing in the United States. Maintains that alternative assessment techniques such as the use of portfolios and direct assessment provide a more comprehensive evaluation of student achievement. Includes eight criteria for determining validity of…