This information capsule explores the effectiveness of score ranges on the Computerized Placement Test (CPT), used to assess the skills of entry-level students at Miami-Dade Community College and place first-time-in-college students in classes. Data are provided for students entering in Fall terms 1996 and 1997 showing the number of students…

The progress school districts throughout New Jersey made in implementing a system of portfolio assessment and the factors that promoted or prohibited the implementation of this system were studied. In all, 262 teachers and 109 administrators completed and returned questionnaires on portfolio assessment. Findings indicate that teachers and…

This briefing paper reviews the special education evaluation process for children with disabilities. It discusses the purpose of an evaluation and who is involved in an evaluation. An explanation of the steps of the process includes: (1) using what is known about a child by looking at a child's school file and recent test scores; (2) collecting…

Programs designed to improve the language proficiency of limited-English-proficient (LEP) students have had mixed results. Much confusion has arisen from variable approaches to what can be expected of the programs. Recently, "expected gain" has become an important concept in documenting the educational development of LEP students, requiring…

This report describes the accountability system for the Texas public schools and notes recognition the system has received. Since 1993, the state has had an accountability system for prekindergarten-12 schools. The addition in 1998 of an accountability system for educator preparation makes Texas the first state to create a prekindergarten-grade 16…

Bringing standards, assessment, and accountability from the state down to school districts is not the right way to implement new policies. Standards, assessment, and accountability must be thought of in a holistic way, and the complexity of the issues must be recognized. Educators must welcome the demand and directive that standards be…

When investigators document the consequences of high stakes assessments for students with disabilities, many negative consequences are cited. Both empirical and anecdotal evidence for positive consequences of large-scale high-stakes assessments for students with disabilities were examined for this study. Multiple methodologies were used to gather…

The survey of the school system of Alexandria, Virginia, was made in May, 1923, by the United States Commissioner of Education upon the invitation of the Board of Education of Alexandria and of the State superintendent of public instruction of Virginia. Members of the survey staff during the three weeks of field work visited the schools, made…

The SAT Program undertook two studies aimed at evaluating the impact of allowing students to indicate more than one ethnic/racial category. Results of this study indicated that there is little impact on DIF [differential item functioning] analyses when different definitions of ethnic/racial classifications are used compared to traditionally…

This article describes the evolution of an alternative approach to the traditional lecture method. Students accept the major responsibility for their own learning. Diagnostic testing, supplementary materials, peer help, study guides, retest provisions, and short lectures on common difficulties are the major components of the program. (LS)

Revised version of a paper presented at the Wisconsin Symposium on Linguistic Perspectives on Black English, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, May 1970. Special issue on Black Dialect: Historical and Descriptive Issues'' edited by William A. Stewart. (RS)