This is the fourth in a series of technical reports that have dealt with issues surrounding the possibility of national value-added systems for primary schools in England. The main focus has been on the relative progress made by students between the ends of Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2). The analysis has indicated that the strength of…

This document consists of three separately published fact sheets combined here because of the close relationship of their subject matter. The first fact sheet, "Communication Interactions: It Takes Two" (Kathleen Stremel), defines communication; suggests ways to find opportunities for interactive communication; offers specific suggestions for…

This final report presents findings of a Wyoming research project designed to test the possibility of using interactive technology in the assessment, at a distance, of infants and toddlers in rural or frontier areas. The project compared the quality of reports developed when a transdisciplinary assessment team conducted assessments either in…

This guide provides information about the assessment and inclusion of all students in statewide and district assessment programs. In particular, it focuses on tactics for including students with disabilities in assessment to achieve a more complete picture of student learning and educational accountability. It is designed to help Wisconsin…

This paper chronicles the development of national performance-based, subject matter knowledge and competencies standards for the preparation of new social studies teachers, exploring the implications of their recent implementation by colleges and universities nationally. The standards are at the forefront of performance assessments of beginning…

Equipped for the Future (EFF) is a standards-based system reform initiative aimed at improving the quality and outcomes of the adult literacy and lifelong learning delivery systems. It is predicated on the concept that the skills adult learners need for success as parents, workers, and citizens go beyond the basic academic skills traditionally…

This paper recounts the process of integrating industry into the assessment process in engineering education developed by the Synthesis Coalition, a group of colleges and schools working together to improve engineering education through development and implementation of curriculum reforms. Originating in the Coalition's efforts to introduce…

The idea behind this guide is that assessing student performance through projects not only allows for the observation of affective behaviors and cognitive strategies that affect learning, but also helps to make instruction fully responsive to students' needs. This resource kit was developed to assist teachers in understanding the purpose of…

This manual assists American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Education Association (NEA) affiliates interested in developing peer assistance and/or peer assistance and review programs in their local sites. The first section provides the context in which these programs are developing and their importance to union efforts to increase…

This document consists of three separately published fact sheets combined here because of the close relationship of their subject matter. The first fact sheet, "Communication Interactions: It Takes Two" (Kathleen Stremel), defines communication; suggests ways to find opportunities for interactive communication; offers specific suggestions for…

The "literacy.ca" newsletter is a vehicle for literacy workers and supporters to share information, ideas, resources and research on emerging literacy issues. This issue of "literacy.ca" contains the following article: Hot time for literacy: Opportunities and Challenges. Regular sections are also included: (1) Focus on…

A university English department's writing center uses peer tutors trained in questioning, explanation, and constructive criticism techniques. Among the issues raised are tutoring adult students and writing across the curriculum. The program has been an effective method of encouraging good writing. (MSE)

Replicated a study of boys with conduct problems using a parent-mediated treatment. Parents were trained to alter deviant behavior by following procedures derived from social learning theory. Child behavior showed significant change through termination as measured by parental reports. Follow-up data showed improvements were maintained through one…

Based on Strasser and Deniston's guidelines (TM 504 251), the author discusses pre-planned and post-planned program evaluation decisions based on: (1) attitude of the organization being evaluated; (2) availability of resources; and (3) usefulness of the findings for programmatic decision making. (MH)

Under general guidelines, each teacher at Angier School designs his/her own system for pupil evaluation, including anecdotal reports and parent conferences. This article describes the school's pupil evaluation policy and the workshops on observation and behavior description that were conducted to help teachers implement the system. (SJL)