Examining the effects of spelling tests on spelling achievement, a study compared two methods of spelling evaluation: (1) the dictated word-sentence-word method, requiring students to write only the spelling words; and (2) the dictated-sentence method, requiring students to write entire sentences containing the spelling words. Two fourth-grade…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate seven reading comprehension tests according to the construct of comprehension which they claimed to measure. The 367 items from these tests were classified by two judges according to the following four levels indicated on a reading comprehension taxonomy: recognition and recall, inference, evaluation, and…

A procedure-based observational scoring system and a notebook completed by students were evaluated as science assessments for 41 fifth grade students experienced in hands-on science and 55 fifth grade students inexperienced in hands-on science. Results suggest that notebooks may be a reasonable, although less reliable, surrogate for observed…

Discusses the evaluation of instructional software, describes two versions of a software evaluation model, and reports the results of two studies that compared evaluative decisions based upon subjective software ratings and data collected using both versions of the evaluation model. Teacher use of student data for decision making is also examined.…

Syntactic development in the oral language of learning disabled and normal students at two intermediate and two secondary-school age levels was compared using two indices, the T-unit and the Syntactic Density Score. It was concluded that no single, sensitive, numerical index exists to quantify syntactic development. (SW)

Compared portfolio, performance, and traditional assessments of sixth graders. Found that authentic measures and self-evaluations were weakly correlated with or independent of performance grades and standardized test scores. Academic motivation was more predictive of traditional than authentic measures. Forty percent of students performed better…

According to results of the 1994 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), teachers of fourth- and eighth-grade students were using a variety of assessment methods to measure their students' progress in reading. At both grades, teachers' reports indicated that in comparison with multiple-choice questions, written paragraphs were used…

To provide a consistent framework for evaluating competing reading methods and materials, an assessment instrument was devised to help over 100 inservice educators evaluate the middle grade components of five nationally used basal reader programs: the Holt Basic Reading System; the Open Court Correlated Language Arts Program, the Ginn Reading 360…

The development of a powerful learning environment aiming at the acquisition and transfer of general thinking skills through learning to program in LOGO was studied. The following conditions were sought: (1) sufficient knowledge of the LOGO primitives and concepts; (2) mastery of the thinking skills within the programming context; and (3) explicit…

Noting that the 1992 National Assessment of Educational Progress used a variety of innovative assessment approaches, this executive summary discusses a number of issues related to the new reading assessment framework. An introductory section of the executive summary discusses the new framework for reading assessment, the transition in reporting…

Whether high levels of metacognitive knowledge about problem solving can compensate for low overall aptitude was studied for 31 high-aptitude and 25 low-aptitude children in grades 4 and 5. Results confirming superior performance of high metacognitive individuals are discussed in terms of the independence of metacognition and academic aptitude.…

Teachers College of Columbia University (New York) and the Dalton School, an independent school in New York City, have collaborated on the Dalton Technology Project and its "Archaeotype" program which presents students with a graphic simulation of an archeological site. Students simulate digging up the artifacts, use reference sources to…

The purpose of this study was to make comparisons between intermediate grade black pupils in an individualized, computer-supported instructional program and intermediate grade black pupils who were in a traditional, self-contained classroom instructional program. Specifically, the basic problem was that of determining the extent to which an…

The effects of a conflict resolution program on school climate, student self-image, and the use of conflict resolution skills were studied in urban schools in Canada. Benefits and limitations of conflict resolution in comparison with other types of violence prevention programs and methods of evaluating violence prevention programs were also…

Suggests that much of the research on middle level education is weak, sparse, and inconclusive. Presents critiques of research and an overview of the research findings of several highly-rated middle level programs. Identifies four factors contributing to the problem, specifically: an insufficient number of studies, utilization of weak research…