For inclusive educational policies to be successful teachers need to support their implementation in the classroom, in terms of their beliefs and instructional practices. But what do teachers believe about teaching and learning in children with special needs and disabilities in inclusive classrooms? This position paper considers this question.…

The article identifies the validity of assessment of non-formal and informal learning achievements (NILA) as one of the key factors for encouraging further development of the process of assessing and recognising non-formal and informal learning achievements in higher education. The authors analyse why the recognition of non-formal and informal…

With the increasing amount of testing taking place in classrooms, teachers may question how appropriate those assessments are for the growing numbers of English language learners (ELLs) in the United States. One of the assessment options for classroom teachers is the informal reading inventory (IRI), which is the most frequently used assessment…

"Slacker Astronomy" is a weekly podcast that covers a recent astronomical news event or discovery. The show has a unique style consisting of irreverent, over-the-top humor combined with a healthy dose of hard science. According to our demographic analysis, the combination of this style and the unique podcasting distribution mechanism allows the…

The paper describes a data collection system to record children's progress and to encourage parents of young handicapped children. The system consists of a calendar with blank spaces in which parents place stickers listing developmental behaviors and record comments about their child. The approach has four main objectives: to supplement…

Examines productivity ratings of institutions based on publication in reading journals. (HOD)

This report addresses the effectiveness of the Fulbright program in India in 1996 from the participant's perspective. A detailed outline of pre-trip preparations, on-site experiences and post-trip expectations are described with suggestions made for further improvement. (EH)

Institutional affiliations of contributors to NCSS and AERA programs for 1975 to 1979 were compiled and compared with other indices of productivity such as journal article publication. Findings indicated that contributors to NCSS generally ranked high in productivity in social studies education. (DB)

Purpose: This study examined assessment procedures used by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) when assessing children suspected of having speech sound disorders (SSD). This national survey also determined the information participants obtained from clients' speech samples, evaluation of non-native English speakers, and time spent on assessment.…

Discusses the growing use by educational psychologists and teachers of developmental and academic behavior checklists. Identifies the minimum criteria necessary for checklists and criticizes their use as many fail to meet these standards. Describes the limitations, misuse, and narrow focus of behavior checklists. (GEA)

Outlines critical weaknesses of many assessment procedures. Argues that, to be meaningful, the act of assessment must in some way enhance the learning process. Discusses establishing purpose for assessment and selecting criteria. Outlines alternative assessment techniques. (SR)

Reflects on the discrepancies that exist between the standardized assessment of a fifth grade student and the author's own experiences with the student's language development. Shows how the student's performance in class refuted the results of a clinical evaluation. (MM)

Outlines for the beginning group counselor a method for organizing and evaluating the ongoing group experience. Defines the specific categories and describes the method by which the outline can be used. (RC)

Describes six informal diagnostic strategies (paired learning, red dot, chalkboard analysis, small-group pretesting and reteaching, answer key, and calculator computation checks) designed to help middle school students gain independence through cooperative learning activities. Corrective feedback is provided through peer discussion, limited…

Assessment currently plays a critical role in American schools and society, in tasks ranging from ranking schools' effectiveness, to determining individual placement, to planning instruction. The purpose of the study was to gather data about the formal and informal assessment instruments and processes used by professionals in deaf education.…