To compile its projections of future employment levels, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) combines the following five interlinked models in a six-step process: a labor force model, an econometric model of the U.S. economy, an industry activity model, an industry labor demand model, and an occupational labor demand model. The BLS was asked to…

The value-added model is presented as a method of assessing the impact of treatments in pretest-posttest quasi-experimental designs. The model yields a projection of treatment group performance at posttest time with no special treatment. The difference between the expected result and the actual outcome is "the value added," a measure of…

In 11 chapters with 54 data tables and 29 diagrams, the author discusses the theory, problems, and uses of educational indicators. He defines educational indicators as characteristics that point, with more or less exactness, to general or overall aspects of an educational system. Chapter 1 examines the concept of an educational indicator and the…

Technical notes concerning the Survey of Income and Education (SIE), April-July 1976, which was conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, are presented. Information is presented on the source of the data, sample design, estimation procedure, reliability of the estimates, nonsampling variability,…

THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE INITIAL VALIDATION OF PERFORMANCE TESTS OF TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS--USING PUPIL GAINS AS THE CRITERION OF EFFECTIVENESS--AND THE STEPS TAKEN IN RECOGNITION OF THE PROPRIETY OF SUCH MEASURES ONLY IF ALL TEACHERS ARE TEACHING FOR THE SAME OBJECTIVES. AS A FIRST STEP, IT WAS HYPOTHESIZED THAT A VALID PERFORMANCE TEST OF…

The generalizability of earlier findings on training objectives for military specialties was studied. Thirteen tasks or jobs, involving mechanical, electrical, general, or administrative aptitude, were rated by senior noncommissioned officers on: recommended field training emphaisi; present school emphasis; consequences of inadequate job…

Synthetic estimation is a statistical technique that estimates small-area statistics by combining national estimates of the relevant characteristics with estimates of other known characteristics of the small geographic area. The advantages of the synthetic estimation approach to local estimation are its intuitive appeal, its simplicity, and its…

In considering the apparent failure of the two major compensatory education programs, Project Head Start and Title I, there are so many uncontrolled variables interacting simultaneously that it is virtually impossible to define the specific etiological factors engendering the results obtained. The Federal programs are difficult to evaluate because…

Evaluation roles used in the Department of Research and Development in the Cincinnati Public Schools are identified and described. These include: project evaluator, local-school evaluator, independent program evaluator, external evaluator and external auditors. The merits of each evaluation role will be discussed as to its relationship with…

Three common methodological problems in the analysis of observational data include: (1) failure to base degrees of freedom for the analysis on the appropriate sampling unit; (2) the validity of the design and data are inconsistent with the generalizations reached; (3) the statistic used to calculate coder reliability is often inappropriate and…

The major purpose of this study is to further the development of procedures which minimize current limitations of creativity instruments, thus yielding a reliable and functional means for assessing creativity. Computerized content analysis and multiple regression are employed to simulate the creativity ratings of trained judges. The computerized…

The development of Q methodology is briefly reviewed, and the methodology itself is briefly described. Finally, a number of the issues are raised relating to the use of Q. Q methodology can have fruitful applications if it is not used indescriminately. Appropriate use of Q requires careful attention to the way the problems being researched are…

Based on a comparison of criterion-based, checklist scoring of medical students' patient interviewing skills and the traditional method of faculty observation, it is suggested that the latter method is less reliable. (MSE)

This document consists of papers published in the electronic journal "Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation" during 2000-2001: (1) "Advantages of Hierarchical Linear Modeling" (Jason W. Osborne); (2) "Prediction in Multiple Regression" (Jason W. Osborne); (3) Scoring Rubrics: What, When, and How?"…

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to examine students' behaviors in physical education classes that might have an impact on classroom management and student learning. The study was conducted in multiple phases, including instrument development, preliminary study, content validity study, and a reliability and validity study.…