This report describes work using nationally representative 2005 data from the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment-III (SNDA-III) study to develop a simulation model to predict the potential implications of changes in policies or practices related to school meals and school food environments. The model focuses on three domains of outcomes: (1) the…

This paper deals with two fundamental problems that are embedded in the evaluation of school practices: (1) attributing value to outcome measures, and (2) attributing outcomes to particular practices. Ways of generating evidence regarding the value of an outcome are discussed, particularly longitudinal research that clarifies the causal relations…

Data on referral and discharge from a short-term habilitative facility are used to illustrate the "survival analysis" of the rate at which institutionlized mentally retarded persons are released to the community and regression analysis of factors which help predict time to release. (Author)

Normative data reported by publishers of the California Achievement Test, the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills, and the SRA Assessment Survey were used to illustrate a procedure for specifying goals for Title I programs in terms of normal curve equivalent (NCE) gains. The procedure was based on the amount of growth reflected in student reading…

The outcome evaluation of a Drug-Free Schools and Community Program using a case-study design and pattern-matching logic in elementary schools and high schools is described, including the use of a panel survey and qualitative interviews. The elementary school case matched predicted outcome, but the high school case did not. (SLD)

Reflecting on a career spent in assessment in personnel selection and managment, the author lists 12 things (items) that he wishes he knew about assessment. The first four items are underdeveloped ideas set aside because of the field's preoccupation with equal employment opportunity. A second set (items five through eight) comes from intellectual…

Measures of quality are now in widespread use across states as part of quality improvement initiatives. For example, many states are currently using global measures of quality that were first developed for research and practice purposes (such as the Environmental Rating Scales) in their Quality Rating Systems (QRSs). Although global quality…

This paper discusses issues surrounding the use of licensure examination results as measures of outcome in institutions of higher education. Based on informal telephone surveys of several state university systems, and on information obtained from national certification organizations, faculty experts, reviews of the literature, and the experience…

In this paper, the author reviews a number of criticisms that have been made of the use of standardized tests in the social studies and reviews 11 general, skills, and discipline-oriented standardized tests for social studies. Standardized tests evaluating the results of the new social studies courses are open to criticism on the basis of…

Developed for application in Air Force weapons systems training programs, a research project investigated the methods, procedures, and data available for conducting cost and training effectiveness analyses (CTEA). The primary objective of the project was to develop a user-oriented procedure for early formulation of training programs that can be…

A RESEARCH STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE SMALL AIRCRAFT ENGINE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL ELECTRIC AND BOSTON UNIVERSITY HUMAN RELATIONS CENTER EXPLORED THE PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF 47 T-GROUP PARTICIPANTS. IN PART 1, THE AUTHORS DISCUSS THE PREDICTOR MEASURES THAT WERE FORMED BEFORE TRAINING. AT THE END OF EACH LABORATORY EACH MEMBER AND THE TRAINERS…

Normal curve equivalent achievement gains estimates were compared with RMC Title I evaluation Models A1 and B1. The comparison focused upon the amount of bias introduced by Model A1 when its underlying assumptions were violated. The model assumes, first, that the local school population is accurately represented by the national norm group; and…

This selective bibliography is one of nine documents compiled to provide titles and descriptions of useful and informative reading documents which were indexed into the ERIC system from 1966 to 1974. The 231 entries in this section of the bibliography concern tests and evaluation and are arranged alphabetically by author in one of the following…

A mail survey completed by 62 administrators in colleges of education in Ohio provides descriptive and correlational results about the nature of utilization of needs assessment. A moderately high multiple correlation is found for attitude and involvement, but other independent variables contribute minimally to prediction. (SLD)

One of the most appropriate quasiexperimental approaches to compensatory education is the regression-discontinuity design. However, it remains underutilized, in part because of the need to clarify the link between the mathematical model and administrative decision-making. This paper explains the derivation of a program efficiency index congruent…