Describes an approach to curriculum development that has evolved out of a learner-centered philosophy of second and foreign language teaching. The use of information about and from learners for decision-making at each of these stages is illustrated with data from the Australian Adult Immigrant Education Program. (Author/VWL)

Two studies, involving 16 high-school students and 45 business leaders, analyzed the effects of programs to modify attitudes toward individuals with disabilities, by comparing the traditional pretest/posttest design to a retrospective pretest/posttest approach. The traditional design indicated no significant attitude changes, while the…

Describes one successful secondary science model involving a child-centered plan of instruction that uses several nontest evaluation and documentation strategies to verify mastery of essential elements. (MS)

Seven papers suggest ways in which theory informs evaluation research in the area of energy conservation. Perspectives of epistemology and methodology and political and bureaucratic issues are addressed. Examples show how theoretically informed concepts and propositions about personal choice and organizational process contribute to knowledge about…

Two questions concerning assessment of supervised work experience (or sandwich courses in Britain) are: What should be assessed? and How should it be assessed? The first question involves issues of defining practical experience, measuring experiential learning and competence, and considering the relationship of theory and practice. Evaluation…

Describes a method for helping autonomous groups work effectively on problem solving without a facilitator. Application in a British part-time course for tutors working with adult learners is described; group dynamics are discussed; evaluation methods are explained; and detailed instructions for using this method are provided in the appendixes.…

Using data from 28 mildly retarded high-school graduates, the economic costs and outcomes resulting from special education services were determined. Results indicated that with appropriately identified, measured, and valued costs and benefits, it is possible to employ a formal benefit-cost framework to assess the efficiency of special education…

A Career Portfolio approach which documents the competencies of a student with disabilities is explained. The portfolio can be used as the basis for informal vocational assessment, for development of annual and short-term objectives, for vocational counseling, and as a tool to take to job interviews. (DB)

This study explored the self-reported functional capacity and psychosocial adjustment of 40 persons before and after completing a comprehensive residential rehabilitation program for military veterans with visual impairments. There was considerable correlation between self-reported improvements and improvements noted in clinical assessments in the…

Provides guidelines for preparing a proposal for funding a library literacy project, including funding sources; community needs statement; plan of operation, including goals and objectives and a time frame; quality of key personnel; budget and cost effectiveness; evaluation plan; adequacy of resources; and cooperation and coordination. (LRW)

A framework for examining the effectiveness of different types of educational computing environments addresses the conceptual characteristics of the knowledge domain being learned and the learner's stage of knowledge. Characteristics of certain technology-based learning environments (computer-based drill, intelligent tutoring systems, hypertext)…

A two-dimensional patient management problem test was designed to measure third-year optometry students' clinical competency at Pacific University (Oregon). Results suggest this evaluation method is valid and may be useful in identifying students needing to improve their clinical thinking skills. Some issues in test administration and scoring…

This response to a previous article comparing guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice in the fields of early childhood education and early intervention/special education stresses the importance of individualizing application of principles and the need to look beyond effectiveness and efficiency as dimensions for evaluating practice.…

An 82-item multidimensional questionnaire, the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale, was recently developed in Italy to measure client satisfaction with psychiatric services. The scale contains 29 items from the English Service Satisfaction Scale. Psychometric characteristics and test use are discussed. Results support the use of the scale in service…

Offers a model for raising the level of technology expertise of K-8 classroom teachers based on a project at the University of Denver (Colorado) that sought to integrate computers with classroom curriculum, develop new inservice models for computer competency, and increase teachers' computer use. (Author/LRW)