This special double issue focuses on the issue of alternative assessment and its place in educational reform. "Alternative Assessment: A National Perspective" (T. Stefonek) emphasizes that the fundamental purposes of new assessment methods are grounded in educational goals, meaningful outcomes, and curricular and instructional programs…

This report examines the extent to which individuals with disabilities are involved in national and state data collection programs that play a pivotal role in reform efforts focusing on measurement of educational indicators. Thirty national data collection programs were identified and 9 of the 30 are reviewed. The extent to which students with…

In the 1992-93 school year, in response to a request from the Board of Trustees of the Austin Independent School District (Texas) (AISD), the district's Office of Research and Evaluation conducted a retrospective examination of the 1991-92 AISD programs to determine cost-effectiveness when possible. This report describes the review process.…

Developed for the staff of field projects, this booklet provides guidelines for evaluating projects to promote activities that will enhance the well-being of young children, their families, and their communities. The booklet aims to stimulate ideas and discussions, offers general principles to help in evaluation, and raises issues that encourage…

This manual provides a state-of-the art review of child neglect in the United States, its nature, causes, and the implications of that knowledge for preventive and remedial intervention. After an introduction, the first chapter considers the definition of neglect including types of neglect, the withholding of medically indicated treatment from…

Library administrators, faced with the problems of acid-paper deterioration, are examining mass deacidification procedures. Mass deacidification of acidic books while they are still physically sound and not yet brittle is the most cost-effective corrective action to extend the life of the paper. There are currently at least five mass…

This practicum study developed a form for the evaluation of tutors by college students with learning disabilities at Brenau University (Georgia). Consultation with 15 experts in the field of college tutoring and a literature search led to the identification of 14 traits best evaluated by students. The evaluation form was developed and field tested…

The differences between multiple-choice, simulated, and concurrent tests of software-skills proficiency are discussed. For three basic human-resource functions, the advantages of concurrent tests (i.e., those that use the actual application software) include true performance-based assessment, unconstrained response alternatives, and increased job…

Since 1988, Western Wisconsin Technical College (WWTC) has taken a leadership role in integrating institutional effectiveness activities within the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). In December 1992, the WTCS Administrators Association and the WTCS State Board agreed to work with the University of Michigan's Community College Consortium…

This report describes a workshop for 24 midlevel managers that provided information on change areas critical to program planning in the Wisconsin Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education (VTAE) system. These change areas include technology, labor market, demographic, and educational trends. In addition, techniques for identifying and forecasting…

This publication provides examples of the types of services that may be provided to Minnesota gifted/talented students and the corresponding outcomes accomplished by students when such services are provided. The first chapter examines education system values, a philosophy of education, the mission of public education, and Minnesota State Board of…

This newsletter issue describes the importance of vocational assessment in the educational process of students with disabilities. Vocational assessment is defined, its purposes are explained, and the ways in which vocational assessment can benefit teenagers with special needs are discussed. Types of informal and formal assessments are explored, as…

This guide focuses on appropriate techniques for the evaluation of electronic media educational programs. Such evaluation helps to provide the educator with the feedback that is missing whenever there is no direct contact with students, and also with information on the relative worth of an educational program. The four-part publication includes:…

Issues in the ongoing evaluation of an innovative curriculum in an academic setting are discussed. The program provides instruction in computer literacy to a physically challenged clientele and to professionals from local service agencies who have disabilities. Data have been collected through survey questionnaires principally composed of Likert…

In 1988, opinion surveys were administered to 5 different respondent groups at each of the 15 pilot sites participating in North Carolina's Career Development Program (CDP) for educators. Five separate questionnaires were developed for the following respondent groups: (1) teachers; (2) principals and assistant principals; (3) central office staff…