This research review analyzes output measures that assess the effectiveness of a library's reference services: reference questions, reference staff performance, reference users, combined output measures, and combined input/output measures. The need for research, a definition of reference effectiveness, and input measures are noted. Seventy-three…

An evaluation form used at Ashland College (Ohio) for critical evaluation of educational software is presented. The form covers basic product information, program content, educational appropriateness, organizational and technical components, teacher's manual, and product revision. (MBR)

Evaluated the effectiveness of a health education group for older adults (N=20) conducted by social work students. Results showed insignificant findings: neither level of essential knowledge or mental health status improved. However, subjects already had high levels of health knowledge. (JAC)

Argues that the design of current alcohol and drug education programs precludes their having a substantial impact on adolescent alcohol or drug use. Suggests that evaluators consider only limited aspects of these programs which leads to narrow definition of success and restricts input into program development and modification. (LLL)

A summary is given of two years of school system research comparing the effectiveness and costs of the immersion, "extended" and "core" approaches to teaching French as a second language. This research took place in two Ontario boards of education. Comments and criticisms are made by three guest analysts. (Author/RM)

This report presents an analysis of the University's evaluation of its Academic Preparation and Educational Partnership Programs. Three recommendations are made for strengthening the evaluation processes in the future: (1) For academic preparation programs that have scholastic selection criteria, it is recommended that the University strengthen…

In 1999 the Texas Legislature provided for the creation of the Master Reading Teacher (MRT) Certificate to address several issues. MRTs primary duties are to: serve as reading teachers; consult with and mentor other teachers; and provide research-based information and training. In September 2001 the Texas Education Agency asked Dr. Jan Hasbrouck…

Although transitioning from school to school can be challenging at any level, the transition to high school may be particularly fraught with challenge because students are experiencing a change in schools as well as the physical, emotional, and psychological changes inherent to adolescence. Educators and researchers agree that ninth grade is a…

The articles in this engaging volume, mostly from Young Children, address the purposes of and uses for assessment. Expert commentary from Marian Marion, Gayle Mindes, Richard Clifford, Diane Trister Dodge and others offers an overview of the topic and specific examples to show how assessment informs and improves practice in early childhood…

This report describes a qualitative research project designed to evaluate the use of the European Language Portfolio (ELP) in Irish post-primary schools. The project was coordinated by the Centre for Language and Communication Studies, Trinity College Dublin, and involved the participation of language teachers and learners from a number of schools…

The purpose of this monograph is to lay the groundwork for developing a series of indicators for education that can be used to monitory progress in education projects, in country-specific education systems, in developmental spinoffs from investment in education, and in terms of poverty reduction. The first chapter sketches a conceptual framework…

This collection of 16 readings focuses on the implementation and evaluation of efforts to include students with special needs in general education classrooms. The readings are: (1) "From Segregation to Integration: A Brief History of Special Education and Inclusion" (Katie Blenk and Doris Landau Fine); (2) "National Study on Inclusion: Overview…

There is plentiful discussion about the importance of accountability, but much needs to be done to translate it into a manageable and credible system of ongoing feedback. In this book, evaluative inquiry is used in a way that balances attention between the investigation process and its purpose. The book is divided into three parts. Following an…

This report describes a districtwide evaluation of the instructional services provided to English language learners (ELLs) enrolled in Structured English Immersion classrooms in grades 1-3. The program uses two models (teaching in English, with the primary language for clarification, and teaching primarily in English, with other instruction in the…