Questionnaires were developed for students and teachers and used with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Software Evaluation Checklist to compare student and teacher perceptions of computer assisted instruction software. Results indicate that formative evaluation should include feedback from both students and teachers to improve software…

The paper considers some of the problems involved in the interpretation of participants' evaluations of management development programs. In particular, it argues that, in the case of participative "open evaluation" sessions, it is important to recognize that participants' attitudes and feelings toward the learning group may influence the…

This article proposes a formative appraisal system for improving classroom instruction that is characterized by a small number of teachers for each supervisor, cooperative goal setting, and the use of modeling techniques, low-inference observation instruments, and regular, timely feedback. Anticipated benefits include greater teacher…

Describes an automated curriculum mapping program at a northeastern school district that enabled the district to obtain a wide range of useful data pertaining to curriculum implementation. Difficulties in mapping procedure and data collection are recounted, an evaluation design is described, and guidelines are provided for efficient maps. (TE)

Describes four stages of the assessment of instructional materials: (1) research and development; (2) assessment of prototype materials; (3) formative evaluation; and (4) summative evaluation as used in the Vocabulary Development Project. (DEP)

Teacher Growth and Assessment (TGA) is a comprehensive teacher evaluation system that includes structures for both accountability and professional growth, taking teacher evaluation to a new level. TGA provides the opportunity to use teacher evaluation data to plan professional development, involve teachers in self-assessment, and structure…

Assessment can be one of the most difficult aspects of teaching. The educational, emotional, and formative ramifications of judging a young person's work can weigh heavily on the mind of a teacher. In spite of the anxiety it poses, knowing how to assess students in order to improve instruction is a core principle of effective teaching. This…

Formative evaluation emphasizes continuous assessment within a unit of study. There are many ways which may be used by the reading teacher to ascertain pupil achievement: teacher observation, a checklist of important reading behaviors, rating scales, anecdotal statements, teacher written tests, class discussions, self evaluation forms,…

This digest in Spanish examines what is involved in evaluating whole-school reform programs. Such evaluations are necessary to renew Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration (CSRD) program grants and are intended to help schools determine what is working and what needs to be changed. Two primary goals of CSRD evaluation are to create a flexible…

This paper reviews the literature on transformational change in education and presents a case study of such change on a university campus on which the student evaluation of faculty (SEF) form was being revised. An enactment model of transformation, relying on the work of J. Everett (1994) is used to interpret the main events of the case analysis,…

Based on empirical work with classes of 4- to 7-year-olds in English primary schools, this book provides an analysis of how classroom assessment occurs within routine teacher-student interaction. The chapters are: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Defining and Investigating Formative Assessment"; (3) "Teachers' Perceptions of…

This report presents the results of a survey of New Zealand principals whose schools had recently undergone an Education Review Office (ERO) study in 1995-96. A total of 602 principals responded to the survey. A comparison of school characteristics indicates good representation, with some slight underrepresentation of city schools and other…

This manual is intended as a do it yourself tool for helping organizations develop an approach that will enhance the quality of career counseling services. It is aimed at demystifying evaluation planning and presents a framework so that the evaluation process leads to continuous improvement in meeting client expectations. It also helps validate…

This yearbook provides a review of research concerning the differences in providing quality education to all children. A number of data sources at both the national and state levels were reviewed in compiling the indicators of educational inputs featured within this report. Four focal points are as follows: (1) the financial resources brought to…

This digest examines what is involved in evaluating whole-school reform programs. Such evaluations are necessary to renew Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration (CSRD) program grants and are intended to help schools determine what is working and what needs to be changed. Two primary goals of CSRD evaluation are to create a flexible design and…