Value-added methods refer to efforts to estimate the relative contributions of specific teachers, schools, or programs to student test performance. In recent years, these methods have attracted considerable attention because of their potential applicability for educational accountability, teacher pay-for-performance systems, school and teacher…

The Comparing Options in Secondary Mathematics: Investigating Curriculum (COSMIC) project is a longitudinal study of student learning from two types of mathematics curricula: integrated and subject-specific. Previous large-scale research studies such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) indicate that numerous variables are…

This paper is directed to those who are undertaking evaluation of a bilingual program for the first time or who have already struggled with the mysteries of such an undertaking. Emphasis is given to the reporting requirements of the various federal and state funding agencies. The bilingual-bicultural program structure is defined so the evaluator…

The impact of achievement testing on a Spring-Spring vs. a Fall-Spring basis in evaluation of compensatory education programs is examined. The effects of the summer vacation period and crossing test levels were examined. Significant decreases in achievement test scores were found, at all grade levels, between Spring and Fall test administrations.…

Twenty-six papers concerning Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I program evaluation--presented at the 1978 American Educational Research Association/National Council on Measurement in Education meeting--are summarized. Speakers from the federal government are: C.T. Cross (see ED 156 695); R.L. Fishbein; and D. Ozenne. State department…

The RMC Corporation, under contract to the U.S. Office of Education, developed a reporting and evaluation system to be used at the state and local level for evaluating Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I programs. The three evaluation models and RMC's recommendations regarding their implementation specified stringent requirements…

The purposes of the project were: (1) to determine if equality of educational opportunity exists for students in grades K-6 in the Rhinelander, Wisconsin, school district; and (2) to develop a model for elementary school program evaluation. Learner achievement of instructional objectives was accepted as the basic indicator of equality of…

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT WERE (1) TO DEVELOP AN EVALUATION MODEL IN THE FORM OF A HOW-TO-DO-IT MANUAL WHICH OUTLINES PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING IMMEDIATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEGREE TO WHICH A PILOT PROGRAM ACHIEVES ITS STATED FINAL OBJECTIVES, (2) TO EVALUATE THIS MODEL BY USING IT TO EVALUATE TWO ONGOING PILOT PROGRAMS, AND (3) TO…

The experiences of state and local education agencies in implementing the RMC evaluation models in their evaluations of Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I programs are discussed with emphasis on the problems encountered, suggestions for resolving these problems, and encouraging results which have been reported. Four activities are…

The validity of the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) and problems associated with inappropriate norms were investigated in eleven senior high schools in Phoenix, Arizona. CTBS validity was assessed in three ways: (1) correlation between test scores and number of courses taken in that subject; (2) correlation between CTBS scores and…

Objectives of the study were (1) to develop and implement an alternative work experience program for a middle school; (2) to test the effect of the program on attitudes toward school, career maturity, and vocational interests of the students; and (3) to provide information and procedures for a model work experience program. Western Kentucky…

Normal curve equivalent achievement gains estimates were compared with RMC Title I evaluation Models A1 and B1. The comparison focused upon the amount of bias introduced by Model A1 when its underlying assumptions were violated. The model assumes, first, that the local school population is accurately represented by the national norm group; and…

Options are suggested for using and expanding upon the RMC models for evaluating the effectiveness of Title I mastery learning programs with planned high turnover of students. Examples are given of uses of the diagnostic and reporting systems for program planning and decision making. It is suggested that consideration be given to: (1) determining…

These papers were presented as a symposium on the revision of the general education program at the University of Montevallo (UM) in Alabama. The first paper, "Introduction to Evaluation of General Education at the University of Montevallo," by Patricia S. Ernest and Elizabeth H. Rodgers, describes the core curriculum study and the 13…

Computer-based testing (CBT) is typically implemented using one of three general test delivery models: (1) multiple fixed testing (MFT); (2) computer-adaptive testing (CAT); or (3) multistage testing (MSTs). This article reviews some of the real cost drivers associated with CBT implementation--focusing on item production costs, the costs…