This study illustrates how a factor analysis of a well-designed student-rating instrument can increase its utility. Factor analysis of a student-rating instrument was used to reveal constructs that would explain student attrition in science, mathematics, and engineering majors. The Instructional Development and Effectiveness Assessment (IDEA)…

The four papers in this report summarize the major findings of the On the Right Track Project, a joint effort of the Education Testing Service and the National Urban League. The first paper, "Six Urban School Districts: Their Middle Grade Mathematics Grouping Policies and Practices" (Ruth B. Ekstrom), describes the six school districts…

This document contains a project report and procedures manual from a project in which a group of junior colleges and postsecondary technical schools in Texas developed, pilot tested, and disseminated performance criterion-referenced occupational examinations for technical occupations. The report describes how teachers and industry personnel…

This publication presents performance data and the concomitant standards of performance that form the basis of school improvement in Maryland. The Data-Based Areas section of this report describes essential tools for measuring how well schools, school systems, and the state are preparing every student for higher education and successful careers…

States use many high-stakes assessments to make decisions about individuals. These tests may be criticized by those who believe that their purpose or application is discriminatory. Because litigation is time consuming and costly, it is advantageous for states to plan assessments carefully to maximize legal defensibility. This handbook is designed…

The United Kingdom has a history of performance assessment even for accountability purposes, as the public examinations (standardized achievement tests) at age 16 demonstrate. What the country does not have is a strong history in the area of equity. Debate and policy-making, when concerned at all, have been concentrated on equality of opportunity,…

This program guide identifies primary considerations in the organization, operation, and evaluation of respiratory therapy and respiratory therapy technician programs. An occupational description and program content are presented. The curriculum framework specifies the exact course title, course number, levels of instruction, major course content,…

The Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) was designed to encourage adults to participate in higher education. Students enrolled in SWAP in 1991-92 and former SWAP students in their first year of higher education in 1991-92 were interviewed twice by telephone, near the beginning and toward the end of their SWAP course or first year. (The number…

A survey was conducted of completers of the rehabilitation aide programs at Hawkeye Institute of Technology and Indian Hills Community College (Iowa). Of 95 mailed surveys, 35 were completed and returned. Respondents reported working in residential facilities, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. They indicated which competencies they…

This document contains five issues of the Michigan Business Education Association (MBEA) Today newsletter. In addition to news items and conference announcements, each issue contains several articles that cover concerns in business education. Issue 1 includes "A Program for Changing Times" (Hunter, Sullivan); "State Update"…

This book describes some of the research undertaken during the Teacher Education Project, a four and one-half year research and development project undertaken by the Universities of Nottingham, Leicester, and Exeter (Great Britain) and funded by the Department of Education and Science. This project involved observation of over 1,000 lessons and…

Following a management summary and introduction, chapters 3 and 4 of this report present findings and recommendations related to the Montgomery County, Maryland, Public Schools process of procuring supplies and equipment (food supplies, fuel oil, warehouse supplies, and maintenance parts) and contractual services (data processing maintenance,…

Bernhardt (2003) claims that half of the variance in second language (L2) reading is accounted for by first language literacy (20%) and second language knowledge (30%), and that one of the central goals of current L2 reading research should be to investigate the 50% of variance that remains unexplained. Part of this variance takes consists of…

A handbook to help teaching assistants (TAs) define and implement teaching goals and to present materials effectively is presented as part of the Teaching Assistant Development Program at the University of California at San Diego. A checklist gives 20 skills that a TA needs to develop to be a good teacher. Behavioral learning goals and process…

This study investigated former students' perceptions of their past studies at the University of Kansas' Applied English Center (AEC). Sixty-one former AEC full-time students who had proven English proficiency since 1983 were interviewed using a questionnaire with 25 open-ended questions. The interviews focused on general program satisfaction,…