Background: Invention and mastery learning approaches differ in their foundational educational paradigms, proposed mechanisms of learning, and potential impacts on learning outcomes. They also differ in their resource requirements. We explored the relative effects of 'invent and problem-solve, followed by instruction' (PS-I) learning compared to…

This article describes the character education program in Donald Stewart School No. 51, in Elizabeth, NJ, a dual-language preschool serving 300 students that first opened its doors in 2004. Over the years this school has been committed to laying the foundation of character development with its preschoolers. Their pillar "Friends Care, Friends…

Many schools have adopted programming designed to promote students' behavioral aptitude. A specific type of programming with this focus is School Wide Positive Behavior Supports (SWPBS), which combines positive behavior techniques with a system wide problem solving model. Aspects of this model are still being developed in the research…

Teacher rating scales have been used widely throughout the United States as part of a comprehensive plan for identifying potentially gifted and talented students. The Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics for Superior Students (SRBCSS) are among the most frequently used teacher rating scales to assess the characteristics of and nominate…

Now in a revised and updated second edition, this highly practical guide provides innovative strategies for resolving academic and behavioral difficulties by enlisting the strengths and resources of students, parents, and teachers. Extensive new case material illustrates the authors' creative approach to building solutions and "busting problems"…

This performance test is comprised of four activities, each with a specific objective(s), process skills, material for each pupil, procedure, and directions to the pupil. The four activity objectives are: I. Describe and classify objects by properties; II. Compare properties of objects to understand serial ordering; III. Describe and classify…

Discussed are personnel issues in special education from the perspective of an observational evaluation of an experimental course of study, "Social Learning Curriculum," used with students in 17 intermediate (ages 9 to 14 years) classes for the educable mentally retarded. Included is the 60-item rating scale which was used to evaluate…

Olae is a computer system for assessing student knowledge of physics, and Newtonian mechanics in particular, using performance data collected while students solve complex problems. Although originally designed as a stand-alone system, it has also been used as part of the Andes intelligent tutoring system. Like many other performance assessment…

A total of 482 third- and fourth-year medical students were rated over four-week periods, by multiple raters, house officers, and attending faculty, on 15 behavior rating scales. The data were factor analyzed, revealing two consistently appearing factors: interpersonal skills and problem solving. (Author/GDC)

Specific criteria for the rating of each questionnaire item are stated in detail. The teacher is asked, after reading the questions carefully, to assign each kindergarten student a rating for every question. This rating should be based on a personal knowledge of the student. The booklet is divided into three sections with section 1 focusing on…

Specific criteria for the rating of each questionnaire item are explained in detail. The teacher is asked, after reading the questions carefully, to assign each first grade student a rating for every question. This rating should be based on a personal knowledge of the student. The booklet is divided into three sections w1th section 1 focusing on…

Specific criteria for the rating of each questionnaire item are stated in detail. The teacher is asked, after reading the questions carefully, to assign each second grade student a rating for every question. This rating should be based on a personal knowledge of the student. The booklet is divided into three sections with section 1 focusing on…

The Performance Assessment Checklist (PAC) was developed by the faculty of the Social Work Practice Sequence of the Wayne State University School of Social Work as a result of the need for a behaviorally specific instrument to assess student performance in the field work practicum. This instrument makes possible a systematic assessment of student…

Because not all approaches to evaluating the achievement of elementary school students evaluate the same facets of development, a variety of evaluation devices must be used to assess learners intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. The following approaches are discussed as ways of student evaluation: (1) work samples; (2)…