Holistic scoring enables the evaluation of writing skills based on general impressions of content and style. An experiment in an accounting class shows how it can be applied successfully with a high degree of reliability. (SK)

The concept of Return on Investment (ROI) in training has hitherto been largely associated with the corporate world where Kirkpatrick's model of training evaluation is widely used. Interest in Kirkpatrick is growing in the public sector. This article examines how the Kirkpatrick model is actually used in a range of commercial organisations and…

The question of what variables affect success in debate has long been an area of interest and concern in the forensic community. For many years, it was thought that traditional performance variables--delivery, reasoning, organization, analysis, refutation and use of evidence--were the key factors influencing evaluations of debaters. Some…

This study explored the use of analytic and holistic modes of processing in the recognition of emotional expressions as discrete and global categories. Five- and seven-year-olds and adults were presented with a series of slides that showed different parts of faces depicting either happiness, surprise, fear, or anger. Slides ranged from single…

The Geriatric Function Score Scale was developed for the elderly. It is an objective tool that examines physical, cognitive, and motivational components of functioning. Results of a preliminary study revealed that the score patients received was able to discriminate the level of placement they would need upon hospital discharge. (Author/CH)

This paper describes the implementation of the Holistic Systemic Evaluation (HSE), a component of an Education Systemic Initiative's strategic management. The HSE provides general guidance for the implementation and continual improvement of an Education Systemic Initiative Reform (ESIR). The implementation of the education system initiative plan:…

Adopts a holistic approach to grading, using seven foundation concepts that are essential to every business communication, regardless of genre. Argues that such assignments more clearly simulate the response of supervisors, clients, customers, and other readers in the business world. (SG)

Examined the concurrent validity of holistic scores by comparing four teachers' holistic scores with their analytic ratings of writing samples from four eighth graders. After training in the evaluation procedures, holistic scores were highly correlated with analytic scores for the same samples. (RJC)

Authentic assessment encompasses methods of evaluating what students know and can do, acknowledging that children learn best when they are actively involved and receive feedback. Criteria for judging authentic assessments include determining their consequences and noting whether they are cost-effective, meaningful, fair, and generalizable, with…

The systems approach assembles in a single assessment setting four basic instruments to determine the current functioning status of the individual for the purpose of better understanding the dynamics involved in severe behavior problems: (1) the Democratic Maturity Test ; (2) the Life Fulfillment Inventory; (3) the Voluntary Control Test; and (4)…

Describes an empirical study that tested the impact of placement test rater meetings on rates of agreement and placement outcomes. Notes that the study provides a rich array of data for the testing of theoretical assumptions about placement models. Reviews the foundations of holistic scoring and the challenges raised by the Washington State…

Role changes in the profession of school counseling take considerable time to be enacted in practice. The purpose of the study in this article is to examine whether newly hired elementary school counselors working in urban settings can implement (a) new directions for practice that have emerged in the recent school counseling literature (i.e., a…

In response to growing concern about the lack of basic writing skills, this paper presents an overview of the issues involved in selecting a method for the assessment of students' writing skills. After general criteria for determining the appropriateness of a writing evaluation procedure are outlined, the merits and limitations of objective tests…

For the 1987-1988 North Carolina Annual Testing Program in the area of writing assessment, public school students in grades 6 and 8 were tested on the composing characteristics of main idea, supporting detail, organization and coherence. A total of 78,045 sixth-grade students wrote a clarification composition focusing on their favorite place to…

A study was conducted to obtain descriptive data on whether a student is aware of an audience when writing, what students perceive as the purpose of a persuasive writing assignment, and what steps comprise their writing process. Approximately 500 tenth grade student essays, prompted by an assignment based on the theme of the literature the class…