The purpose of Project LISTO is to support the instructional capacity of science educators and to validate innovative practices and strategies via previously developed interventions that address literacy-infused science and technology integration with standards-aligned curriculum. The evaluation of LISTO involved a multisite cluster randomized…

Although interest in preschool science is not new in the United States, this area of learning is enjoying renewed attention among those concerned with prekindergarten education and with improving scientific literacy and achievement among the nation's citizens. Despite the increased interest and funding investment in early science education and the…

Since its inception in 2002, the National Center for Education Research (NCER) in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has funded over 700 education research grants and over 60 education training grants. The research grants have supported exploratory research to build theory or generate hypotheses on factors that may affect educational…

Described is an evaluation instrument designed for individual or group use for assessing an overall science curricula. Specific items within seven broad topics (foundations for local planning; curriculum; teaching-learning; staff; facilities, equipment, and materials; evaluation; and finances) are scaled zero (totally lacking) to four (excellent).…

Serves as an introduction to the field of educational evaluation by clarifying the aims and methods of evaluation and outlining points of conflict that exist between the various practitioners. Presents five evaluation studies as examples for discussion and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches. (GS)

Reports the evaluation of an integrated nutrition education curriculum, "Nutrition in a Changing World," and examines the effect of teacher preparation on student outcome. Results indicate the curriculum is effective and that the curriculum guide provides adequate materials for teachers so supplementary teacher preparation is not…

Lists a model of the dimensions of scientific literacy. Explains the characteristics of the scientifically literate person. Suggests ways that the dimensions can be used for program improvement. (GS)

Described is the "typical" curriculum necessary for graduation with a biochemistry degree from college. The information was synthesized from over 600 responses to a questionnaire sent to colleges and universities. Biochemical educators and scientists have been asked to review the curriculum and send comments. (KR)

Describes the development and validation of the Curriculum Adaptation Scheme (CAS) to aid curriculum developers in their curriculum adaptation endeavors. Provides a copy of the instrument. (DS)

Presents an in-house strategy for evaluating developed curricula. The strategy is demonstrated via the evaluation of the Individualized Science curriculum. (SL)

Discussed are four different approaches to the evaluation of the implementation of innovative courses. The first approach is that of Alkin and his associates at UCLA. This group emphasized the need to collect information on the degree to which an innovative course is implemented for the purpose of taking corrective action to achieve full…

Successful curriculum implementation depends partially on agreement between developers and teachers regarding the relative importance of the objectives of the program. This paper analyzes the ratings of the relative importance of various stated objectives of an elementary science unit by developers, teachers, and outside evaluators. The rating…

Presents development and preliminary results of a research project evaluating a curriculum guide developed by the National Association for the Advancement of Humane Education. Activities included humane education along with concepts and skills in language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics. Results are mixed with more impact on early…

This report presents the results of a comparative study of two junior high school science programs, a modular, individualized program The Natural World (TNW) and the more traditional Exploring Science program. Opinionnaires were used to sample grade 7 and 8 students' perceptions of their science course and attitudes toward it at several times…

Current sex education programs for America's young people are inadequate. Data are presented which support this view. (BB)