This tool was developed to assist school leaders in observing specific research-based practices during literacy instruction in grade 4-12 classrooms and students' independent use or application of those practices. The tool aims to help school leaders conduct brief and frequent walkthroughs throughout the school year. The tool consists of three…

States in the midst of implementing evaluation reforms face a common dilemma: how to ensure that all your districts are implementing quality educator evaluation systems while still providing them with the flexibility to design systems best suited to their own unique needs. One answer is to create an equivalency process (also known as an approval…

This guide to the development of effective documentation for users of computer software begins by identifying five types of documentation, i.e., training manuals, user guides, tutorials, on-screen help comments, and troubleshooting manuals. Six steps in the development process are then outlined and briefly described: (1) planning and preparation;…

During the 2001-2002 school year, over 2,100 Vermont children received their education in a homestudy program. Parents or guardians who decide to educate their children at home assume a great responsibility. In effect they are responsible for writing a curriculum, finding learning materials, providing resources, presenting instruction, adapting…

Provides guidelines for writing book reviews, particularly for nonfiction works. A checklist of basic elements that are often included in book reviews is given; organization and writing style are discussed; and a sample review is included from the "Canadian Book Review Annual." (four references) (LRW)

This information digest discusses assistive technology for children and adults with mental retardation and other disabilities. Assistive technology is used to compensate for functional limitations and to enhance and increase learning, independence, mobility, communication, environmental control, and choice. Factors to consider when evaluating…

This guide begins with a story about a second to third grade reader named Jason. The story is written from the perspective of Jason's mother, and models ways his mother helps him and his brother expand their basic reading skills now that they have grown beyond early reading. One way is providing a special reading chair where Jason can comfortably…

This synthesis of the research on direct manipulation interfaces explores the nature of directness in computer interfaces and demonstrates that the concept of directness is complex, including two gulfs--for execution and evaluation--and two kinds of mappings--semantic mappings and referential distance. Examination of the complexities of the…

Presents a checklist which can be used in the development of materials and activities to develop visual abilities; and includes a visual preference survey designed to provide data needed in responding to some of the checklist items, especially those related to learner abilities and preferences. (CMV)

Provides a prescriptive checklist describing necessary or desirable features for a typical application for use in choosing among 150 available data cassette recorders as an effective low-cost method for collecting data in machine-readable form from display terminals. Included are environmental considerations and purchasing information. (RAA)

This checklist provides guidance on how to measure adequacy of control and security of computer systems, identifies areas of risk, raises management and user awareness of their stewardship responsibilities, and reviews issues relative to system documentation, maintenance, integrity, and reliability. (MBR)

The "Outline/Check List for Inventory Pre-Planning, Preparation and Conduct," used at the Skyline College Bookstore, is presented. The guides include information on paperwork, merchandise preparation, a time table, year-end accounting, and inventory procedures. (JMD)

This checklist is designed to provide librarians, architects, and other members of a building design team with a list of questions to ask during the design phase of a new or remodeled library building project. The purpose of the questions is to make sure that no element of the building is overlooked by the building design team in their programming…

This loose-leaf manual was compiled during a cataloging and indexing project which covered government publications issued primarily by regional offices, field offices, federal-state organizations, quasi-official agencies, or non-governmental institutions producing federally funded reports. Processing of these publications utilizes the National…

This checklist outlines the basic steps to be followed from the time of the recognition of the need for a new building until the actual start of construction. (Author/CLB)