Objectives: A team of education researchers is leading a three-year project to develop and implement an online system for reporting and research on state student assessment policies across all states (Indicator 12). Theoretical Framework In the past five years as more rigorous standards have been adopted by many states, a key issue for state…

"iMOOC101: Mastering American e-Learning" is a Coursera-based, free, massive online course aimed at preparing non-U.S. students to succeed in regular, for-credit, online classes in American universities. The course is also intended to help foreign-born professionals integrate into virtual work environments in U.S.-based companies. The…

This paper describes a major initiative in the Commonwealth of Kentucky to develop a statewide, standards-based, student report card for reporting the learning progress of individual students at all grade levels (K-12). Led by a team of researchers with expertise in grading and reporting, 36 educators from three diverse school districts created…

A program designed to serve culturally different gifted elementary students in the Omaha (Nebraska) Public Schools is described. Following a brief rationale, information on the program's identification procedures lists 12 typical characteristics of culturally diverse gifted students. Possible program approaches are delineated, including (1)…

The Special Education Department of the Omaha Public Schools implemented assessment classes for students identified as learning disabled. The classes offer the opportunity for in-depth evaluation of behavior in a variety of situations and with many different techniques and materials. Four critical elements of LD assessment classes include: the…

The paper examines aspects of prevocational program development for visually impaired students (physical setting, task selection, teacher behaviors, trainee behaviors, discrimination deficits, sensory motor deficits, slow motor behavior, and interfering behaviors). Five assessment areas are listed, including amount of teacher assistance required,…

The paper addresses the principles underlying special education services in New South Wales, Australia. Ten principles are elucidated: (1) the recognition that all children benefit from an educational program; (2) a belief in the benefits of intervention as early as possible; (3) similar goals for special education yet different means from those…

Two papers are presented, related to Australian activity therapy centers (places which teach the mentally handicapped personal, social, and prevocational skills complementary to their vocational needs). The first paper discusses the assessment of needs and implementation of client-based programs. Assessment and programing are said to be…

During the Fall 1982 semester, Purdue pharmacy students elected to participate in a 24 class-hour course that stressed instruction and practical experience in geriatric pharmacy services. A major course project was the step-by-step development and presentation of an inservice educational program. (Author/MLW)

Effects of participatory planning on internal consistency within the special education referral, planning and placement process and the Individualized Education Programs (IEP) were investigated. A stratified representative sampling procedure was used to select 114 handicapped students enrolled in one district's special education program. Referral…

The basic structure of a writing laboratory at Purdue University, Indiana, is described in this paper. Physical facilities, record keeping plans, instructional approaches and materials, and evaluation methods are discussed. As a laboratory situation, the course was intended as a supplement to regular composition classes. Five graduate students and…

Although successful by some standards, the basic writing program at Ball State University, Indiana, was altered over a period of several years because it was making incompatible demands on teachers and students alike. Public perception of the course allowed teachers some flexibility in writing instruction, but it demanded instruction in grammar…

The report describes a pilot program of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools to identify the incidence of gifted elementary students who are experiencing learning difficulties. Program goals include offering remedial help, assessing the effectiveness of intervention strategies, and developing an early identification process as a…

E-portfolios have an ease of use that former paper-based portfolios do not. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University uses e-portfolios as a method to assess students in the Instructional Technology graduate program. A core of volunteer graduate students assumed the responsibility of designing a model for using e-portfolios based on the…

This monograph describes the Perceptive Motor Skills Program (PMSP) being used with adolescents and adults having mental retardation in Catalonia, Spain. The program is based on the following principles: chronologically age appropriate activities; use of daily living tools; multiple objectives and working materials; and balance between…