A study was conducted to describe and evaluate the sequential English composition program at Illinois Central College, and to develop an evaluation model designed for adaptation to local needs of other community colleges. Each of six sequential courses, ranging from highly remedial in nature to creative writing, was described in detail, including…

Attention of research and evaluation specialists has often focused on methodology for assessing program outcomes with less attention given to techniques for describing important characteristics of a program or methods for assessing the degree to which a program may faithfully reflect a particular model. The purposes of this paper are to describe a…

Requests for evaluation instruments measuring program quality rather than program content have required the development of new measuring procedures. Two sets of materials are presented in this report--the first to identify objectives and expected outcomes for school programs and persons in the school, and the second to identify the actual climate…

Local and regional advisory councils can provide vocational programs with unique and essential evaluation information. Most advisory councils are asked to review components of vocational programs about which they have limited experience and/or knowledge, such as philosophy, objectives, and management. There are several, often overlooked areas in…

Evaluation of university teachers is generally left to students, but the first and most important evaluation must be made at the departmental level. (CFM)

The results of the Physician-Patient Situation Test given before and after an interviewing course taught at the University of Texas at Houston in 1977 are reported. It is suggested that medical students can increase receptivity to patients and that an interviewing course can foster the acquisition of empathic skills. (LBH)

Presented is a program of psychoeducational evaluation (for use in the Individualized Education Program) designed to provide a detailed analysis of the learning strategies (both functional and maladaptive) in hard of hearing adolescents. (BD)

An examination was developed by the Medical Skills Committee of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates to test the hypothesis that the clinical skills of many foreign medical graduates entering U.S. residencies are deficient. Thirty-two percent of the graduates were found to have inadequate clinical skills. (Author/MLW)

A study of the reliability and validity of a course evaluation method using small student discussion groups revealed the method to be reliable and productive but found discrepancies between student and teacher objects of evaluation and some dissatisfaction among teachers. (MSE)

Evaluation alone will probably not improve teaching, but, when it is accompanied by feedback, information about teaching and learning, and work with a knowledgeable consultant, evaluation may lead to improvement. An experienced consultant can foster trust, offer encouragement, and provide guided practice to help faculty improve their teaching…

Lists suggestions for alternative methods of evaluation that will bring teaching and evaluation methods into close correspondence (as opposed to following creative teaching with a memorization test). Contends methods of evaluation should become part of the learning process, not just measure recall of information given by the teacher. (SKC)

Presents the results of a study of grading strategies that suggests that reluctant students can improve their work and develop a better attitude about school if less emphasis is placed on evaluative grading. (JC)

Item response theory bias detection procedures were applied to data from Black and White seniors on the High School and Beyond data files. Overall, the sums-of-squares statistics (weighted by the inverse of the variance errors) were the best indices for quantifying item characteristic curve differences between groups (Author/BW)

Reports on a research study to determine if computer-aided instruction could help stimulate prewriting composition. Compares three methods of prewriting instruction and argues that a systematic procedure may be taught as a means of improving writing production. Contends computer usage can enhance this procedure. (RKM)

Reports on the results of an evaluation of the Illinois Community College Board's recognition process, by which community colleges are judged to be in compliance with state standards. Discusses administrators' perceptions of the effectiveness of the preparation, on-site visit, and reporting phases of the recognition process. Suggests enhancements.…