This volume contains the sixteen papers presented to the 1968, 1969, and 1970 annual meetings of the North Central Reading Association. The papers are grouped into four sections: Programs and Centers, Materials and Techniques, Evaluation, and Professional Problems. Some of the topics concern tests and test-taking, attitudinal factors, descriptions…

The COMPASS (Comprehensive Personal Assessment System) Test Battery used in personalized teacher education programs at the University of Texas (Austin) is described. The battery contains seven instruments, four of which provide data that can be used by computer programs to generate verbal-graphic summary reports. The seven instruments are:…

Evaluation of a bilingual-bicultural education program indicates that significant progress was made in enabling all students to function equally well in both Spanish and English, in providing basic coping skills, and in developing the basis for a pluralistic society. The program included 210 kindergarten and first-grade children consisting of…

The Mathematics Accountability Model (MAM) Project has succeeded in the development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of a completely individualized learning program for basic and higher order math skills. Student interest and achievement in the MAM Project are well documented exemplars of its success. It is recommended that the…

Gives guidelines for using a microcomputer software evaluation instrument which focuses on policy issues, instructional quality, science subject-matter standards, and technical quality. The complete evaluation instrument is included. (JM)

The purpose of this article is to comment on practice in the use of existing data bases in program evaluation and school improvement and to explore directions for increased and improved use. (BW)

In their constant groping toward achievement standards, the high schools of this country have developed what is known as "cooperative testing." This development is not recent. Cooperative testing dates back further than the standardized testing movement itself. For instance, it has been customary for about 50 years in New York and in…

Some features of a British Columbia provincial evaluation of elementary core French programs are described and selected examples are used to illustrate the ways the results have been used in individual school districts for program improvements. (Author/MSE)

In 10 articles presents a variety of guidance and counseling programs providing models for career education and community resources; support groups; work preparation for women; scheduling and computers; personalized tutoring; the counselor role and the adult student; career clubs; and program evaluation. (RC)

Describes the summative evaluation of a course, Career Planning and Decision Making for College (CPDM), developed to help students gain a greater understanding of themselves and to help them acquire career planning and decision-making skills. The evaluation indicated that the CPDM course was important, helpful, and useful to students. (Author/RC)

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a handicapped child necessitates a program amenable to evaluation. A comprehensive approach consists of evaluability assessment, process evaluation, outcome evaluation, and consumer evaluation. Utilization of each strategy results in obtainment of evaluation information for program development,…

The primary objective of a training program based within an internal medicine department at the University of Texas Medical Branch was to increase the interviewing skills of medicine residents, especially regarding the psychosocial aspects of patients. The program, evaluation methods, and results are described. (JMD)

A comprehensive plan for program assessment by students in the San Mateo, California, community college district is described. Results compiled from the 29-item questionnaire identify the unique characteristics and problems of each college, and provide recommendations for improvement. The survey instrument is included. (BH)

Reviews the procedures used by James Madison University (Virginia) to develop an assessment plan for the Health Sciences major. The assessment program included cognitive areas, basic competencies of entry-level health educators, student teaching, alumni surveys, and information literacy. The assessment program was reviewed by outside peer…

The author responds to Pinnell et al's (1996) call for caution in using cost-benefit analysis in measuring educational reform success. It is argued that reform already is being sold to state legislators and educators in cost-benefit terms and that research has been inappropriately used in the selling process. (GR)