Describes an experiment to determine whether an economics course affected student opinions about economic issues. Findings indicated that students adopted slightly more conservative opinions as a result of taking the economics course. (Author/DB)

Two preventive interventions aimed at reducing the stress of the first year of college for freshmen were evaluated. A written-interactive program was compared to a peer-led group program. The programs differed in the type of students they attracted. Neither was effective in reducing dropout rate or improving grade point average. (Author/MFD)

A list of points to aid essay writers is suggested as the basis of a marking system for the teacher of English as a foreign language. The checklist, obtained from a book on higher education by Ruth Beard, can be adapted to the English as a foreign language situation. (SW)

Recognition of various abilities and skills in university degree work, and the development of an appropriate range of assessment modes to test these abilities, presupposes that students will perform differently under the various forms of assessment. The limited data available to test this supposition are reviewed and analysis of one geography…

Albuquerque Technical-Vocational Institute's system for grading business courses by proficiency certification in place of the traditional A through F system is described. A certificate is developed for each course, with evaluation of student performance in each area. This system requires a greater volume of paper work and skill analysis but it is…

Describes a contract grading technique which includes assigned and optional laboratory work and the grades attached thereto. (SL)

Attempts a definition of terms and a brief analysis of the philosophical considerations surrounding grading followed by a detailed discussion of specific techniques for assigning grades. (Author/RK)

Provides photocopy-ready lesson aids on story ideas, interviewing, inverted pyramid writing style, newswriting, sports/scavenger hunt, finding feature material, identifying feature leads, feature lead selection, evaluating feature leads, compiling survey material, cutlines, headlines, paste-up rules, advertising, final semester project, newspaper…

The number of seniors eligible for admission to an interdisciplinary honor society from various academic disciplines varied substantially when three methods of selection were compared using grade point average as the criterion. This is the finding from a study of grade inflation and grading standards on student academic award selection. (JN)

The responsibility for assessment in Australia has shifted from state education department and examining authorities to schools, teachers, and in some cases students. Variables operating in assessment procedures used by Australian schools and examination systems, and how the meaning of marks is communicated are described. National implications are…

Three types of student evaluation strategies used in Italy are described: (1) teacher's free comments; (2) standardized adjectives used as rating scales; and (3) numeric scores based on tests and other evaluation criteria. Implications of the third approach, which was implemented according to legislation in 1977, are discussed. (GDC)

Three high schol teachers in Tempe, Arizona, have improved students' speaking and writing proficiency by applying the principles of outcome-based education to their ninth grade English classes. These teachers abolished "D" grades, clearly defined expectations and offered expanded opportunities to master material. (MLH)

Presents several strategies for evaluating elementary and secondary music students. Includes an objective-based system in which students earn points for attendance, participation, and performance. Examines written evaluations, and points for progress, discussing evaluation as a teaching aid. Describes a "fair grading system" which evaluates effort…

Describes a study comparing the assessment of student work by seven teachers with the assessment done by 20 secondary assessors. (PK)

Some of the special challenges associated with evaluation and grading in the large class are discussed. Suggestions for evaluation methods include seeking clarity, reducing the stress of test administration, giving feedback, guarding against errors in record keeping, and returning exams efficiently and with respect. (MLW)