Notes that all assignments for writing assessment require a rhetorical transaction. Describes the rhetorical frame provided by the assessment developed at the University of Michigan, and compares versions of the test topics to discern their equivalency through an analysis of student performance. (HTH)

Discusses three books that approach writing assessment from differing perspectives and will help writing program administrators reconsider purposes, anticipate problems, and envision new possibilities for writing evaluation. (HTH)

An administrative change in faculty hiring in a continuing education department was assessed in five ways, concluding that the adult education program improved, the number of scheduled courses increased, students evaluated teachers more highly, anecdotal information and a commissioned survey showed policy changes, and a campus poll reflected…

Five years ago the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) launched a revolution in our education system by insisting that all students should be proficient in reading and math by 2014 and demanding comprehensive reforms to reach this national goal, including strong assessment and accountability systems, a highly qualified teacher in every classroom, more…

Originally presented at the November 1979 Association for Communication Administration (ACA) seminar, the articles in this journal issue discuss the assessment and accreditation of graduate programs in communication. The 14 articles examine the following topics: a proposed instrument for program quality assessment; the status of program evaluation…

Pursuant to the Council of Ontario Universities' procedures for periodic quality reviews of undergraduate programs, auditors examined the policies and programs of Brock University (BU) during 1997. Three departments were selected for audits of their program review procedures: Philosophy, Geography, and Physics; additionally, the Oenology and…

Pursuant to the Council of Ontario Universities' procedures for periodic quality reviews of undergraduate programs, auditors examined the policies and programs of the University of Ottawa (UO) during 1997. The English, Chemistry, and Physiotherapy departments were selected for audits of their program review procedures; the Environmental Studies…

The differentiation between efficiency and effectiveness in evaluating the performance of institutions of higher learning is examined and the role of management information systems in the decision-making processes of such institutions is explored. While efficiency is primarily concerned with cost minimization concepts, effectiveness is concerned…

Reviews the first twenty years of the Education Commission of the States, covering aspects of organization, administration, and activities (including the operation of the National Assessment of Educational Progress from 1969 to 1983). Describes recent changes in the commission's organization and focus, and considers changing expectations for the…

In a discussion of the needs of English-as-a-Second-Language learners, it is suggested that the best approach to identifying needs is at the local level. Specific suggestions are made for classroom teachers, drawing on research techniques in second language learning and English for special purposes. Teachers are told to: (1) expect some mismatch…

Perspectives on accountability in distance education, which began in Australia in 1911 at Queensland University, are considered. It is suggested that to be effective, distance education needs a sound philosophical basis; appropriate organizational structure; adequate resource allocation; specialized educational techniques and student access;…

The authors describe a course intended to produce graduates with a European perspective, fluent in English and Italian, and able to understand and practice the management functions required in high technology areas of the manufacturing industry. Each student will spend two years in England and two years in Italy. (Author/MLW)

A modified form of vector analysis is examined that was applied to graphs depicting the number of undergraduate student credit hours taken by majors and nonmajors in each of 18 arts and sciences departments. The analysis permitted the identification of instructional service strategies adopted by various academic units and the evaluation of the…

The use of quantitative approaches to the management of higher education and implications for legislative concerns are considered. Among the new developments and practices that illustrate the use of quantitative approaches to management are the following: basic structures for categorizing programs and activities for reporting and analysis;…

Resource allocation processes suitable for use in not-for-profit institutions are discussed and a conceptual model for resource allocation in institutions of higher education is presented. The objectives of higher education include the personal development and education of students, not merely the certification of students by conferring degrees.…