Summarizes the evaluation of a 4-5 week science program for twelve- to thirteen-year old lower ability students. Includes a description of the program, techniques used in the evaluation, and a model for observing student activity during science instruction. (JN)

Assessment generally refers to large-scale, system-wide measurement programs for pupil diagnosis; pupil certification; program evaluation; research; accountability; resource allocations; or teacher evaluation. The purpose of assessment should determine the test content, construction, administration, and examinees sampled. Assessment methods for…

This article discusses a program entitled "Extended Reading Comprehension Skills through Language Transfer," whose goals were to expand and increase English skills through the study of the Latin language and Rome's culture. This program was implemented in Los Angeles based on the Philadelphia program pioneered by Masciantonio. (Author/CFM)

Analyzes the National Research Council's rating of political science departments and discovers the ratings reflect two general sets of characteristics, the size and productivity of the faculty. Reveals that the quality and impact of faculty research is more important than the overall output. Includes tables of statistical data. (MJP)

Presents survey results that reveal that most political science departments have clearly defined systems of summative teaching evaluation. These systems, however, lack diversity. Most rely solely on student assessment and use this primarily to identify potential problems. Recommends adopting more flexible and constructive approaches. (MJP)

Reports on the development of a comprehensive education program "Step by Step: A Program for Children and Families" in Eastern and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union. Designed for young children from birth to age eight and their families, this program attempts to share U.S. teaching methods that promote democratic principles…

A study of 24 Hispanic and American Indian college students attempted to refine the concept of academic integration in Tinto's model of education withdrawal. Findings suggest that measurement of academic integration could be strengthened by including indicators of the substance and process of academic advising, as students experience it.…

Community colleges need to adopt a broad conceptual definition of a continuing student in the design and evaluation of their retention strategies, recognizing nondegree goals as legitimate educational achievements and intermittent but persistent attendance as a valid method of pursuing educational goals. (MSE)

The Chicago (Illinois) public school system has been undergoing a major restructuring that has shifted responsibility for running the schools to local school councils. The nine articles of this issue bring together opinions and research of a diverse group of authors with multiple perspectives on the effort. (SLD)

A mail survey completed by 62 administrators in colleges of education in Ohio provides descriptive and correlational results about the nature of utilization of needs assessment. A moderately high multiple correlation is found for attitude and involvement, but other independent variables contribute minimally to prediction. (SLD)

Lists the latest ERIC documents that describe institutional and state studies of community college remedial programs. Provides bibliographical information and a brief abstract of relevant documents. (YKH)

A survey of 138 dental hygiene program directors found dissatisfaction with program assessment practices and use of assessment data. Most use alumni/employer surveys and curriculum evaluations by students, but share results mostly with faculty. They use the data for curriculum revision but not for adding assessment measures, student remediation,…

Outcomes are reported for youths with serious emotional disturbance receiving customary services from community mental health service providers who receive state mental health funds. Various outcome indicators for the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) are described, as well as a procedure for categorizing youths into client…

When Prince George's County Public Schools created a teacher mentor program, administrators also created a system for evaluating it with clear expectations and goals at the outset. Precisely defining objectives enabled leaders to see their progress, determine what needed to change along the way, and build support for the program.

The purpose of the study reported in this chapter was to determine if senior evaluation consultants experienced stages of growth in their practice similar to the small business development stages described by Bruce and Scott, to identify the stimuli that led to those changes, to determine what the consultants learned from these incidents, and to…