The standardization and evaluation of methods of performance assessment represents an important area of concern. In this paper an approach that concentrates on two critical areas and the relationship between them is discussed. These are: (1) a task classification system; and (2) a performance measure classification system. An example is presented…

An approach for developing examinations to assess the proficiency of health care professionals which utilizes a task inventory methodology is described. Examination development is based upon the identification of health care functions which individuals within a specific category of health professional should be skilled in performing. The several…

Presents a matrix showing the types, domains, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of teacher-made paper and pencil and performance evaluation instruments, and considers some of the factors involved in deciding which to use. (CMV)

A schema for categorizing a student's inferred motivation to learn was tested with 37 students (9 to 18 years old), who had been referred because of a diagnosis of learning disability. Students were classified on three dimensions: level of motivation, degree of misbehavior, and degree of learning ability. (SW)

Reviewed research on practicum supervision in terms of findings and research designs employed. Classified research according to counselor-supervisor similarity, training methods, and evaluation. Conclusions indicated no support for supervisor-counselor matching, support for experiential, modeling and didatic methods, and peer supervision. (Author)

Problem-child families and normal families were classified using the dyadic parent-child interaction coding system (DPICS). The DPICS was found to be a reliable, clinically practical research instrument that correctly classified 94 percent of the families and predicted 64 percent of the variance in parent report of home behavior problems. (Author)

The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale was used to classify 118 hearing-impaired persons (88 percent were ages 16-21) into groups based on their ability to be trained in independent living skills. Using cluster analysis, the subjects were placed into three groups according to four domains: communication, daily living, socialization, and maladaptive…

An Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) was conducted with parents of 11 children with early infantile autism and 16 with a language disorder, along with a standardized Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-G). Ten children with autism were correctly classified on both measures. One child with a language disorder was falsely classified on…

A study compared the effects of different methods of analyzing trends to illustrate how failure to account for change in classification will lead to misinterpretation of data on the performance of students with disabilities. Data from five years of assessment in Texas is used to illustrate effects of classification changes. (Contains references.)…

The evaluation and assessment of sexual offenders is different than any other type of evaluation, and most clinicians are not properly trained to interview this population. This article addresses the clinical and ethical issues particular to the interview, assessment, and evaluation of these types of offenders. It offers both practical information…

The second edition of "Professional Issues in Therapeutic Recreation: On Competence and Outcomes" is greatly expanded to include a wider variety of introductory materials and updates on current professional issues. The second edition represents a timely review of the state of affairs in the profession of therapeutic recreation. This book contains…

Two inherently contradictory forces are pushing for reform in portfolio assessment. On the one hand there is a felt need for creating more rigid standards that operate to promote uniformity of ratings in appraisal practice to certify achievement. However, on the other hand, critical questions are being raised about separating acclaimed portfolio…

A four-level taxonomy is proposed to define the usefulness of rater written comments for supporting letters of recommendation. The taxonomy is used to classify comments on 220 rating forms by 25 raters from two surgery departments regarding performance by third-year medical students. Written comments were classified by the following taxonomy: (1)…

The paper is a methodological inquiry into the interpretation of qualitative data. It explores a grounded-theory approach to the synthesis of data and examines, in particular, the construction of categories. It focuses on ways of organizing and attaching meaning to data, as research problems embedded in a cultural context are explored. A…

A study was undertaken as part of the process of trying to develop an instrument for systematically coding reading and other language arts activities in the secondary content area classroom. Six teachers chosen from five secondary schools were each observed while teaching four randomly selected classes over a two-week period. All observations were…