Summarizes results of the Adult Performance Level (APL) project which focuses on the study of adult functional literacy. Relates finding to contributions in literacy made in secondary-level science courses. (CS)

A student teacher evaluation instrument of the characteristics most valued in their university supervisor is presented as one way of answering the question: Who will guard the guardians? (MB)

Provides suggestions for developing effective communication between students and their teachers. 350 elementary students responded on how well they thought their teachers listened to their story-telling. (RK)

In the Classroom Observer Program at Dickinson College a student not enrolled in a course is hired for a nominal stipend to attend class meetings and provide immediate feedback to the instructor about various aspects of the teaching process from a student perspective. (LBH)

This article describes part of an experiment aimed at elucidating the relationship between speaker, speech act and listener from a sociolinguistic and sociopsychological perspective. High school students were asked to judge the taped speech of Swedish informants from Boras, Trelleborg and the Torne Valley. (CFM)

While the practice of students evaluating their instructors has become common in many institutions of higher learning, and properly so, care should be taken that instructors who use both objective and subjective formats in their classroom testing not be disadvantaged as a result of this. (Author)

Describes a study of fifth and sixth graders that investigated the effects of cooperative training and ability grouping on microcomputer learning. Results on four measures of achievement did not support the use of cooperative learning or ability grouping to enhance achievement in computer-assisted instruction. (Author/LRW)

Describes the partnership between Deere & Company and Black Hawk College that provided a training program for John Deere suppliers, resulting in a cost-effective approach to upgrading supplier skills and improving Deere product quality. Lists benefits of supplier development and training. (YKH)

Describes a survey of 28 community services and continuing education (CS/CE) directors to determine needed competencies for future CS/CE directors. Reports that consensus was reached on 14 proficiencies, including analytical ability, creativity, integrity, and decision-making skills; less uniform agreement was found on 25 other abilities. (ECF)

Performance assessment tests have been problematic, and states that have experimented with them have had poor results. The tests have been implemented prematurely and before being adequately researched, which has resulted in problems related to test validity and scoring, student bluffing on answers, high failure rates, accuracy, and student…

Finds that instructors who are viewed as expressive, warm, and involved are most likely to be judged (by students viewing instructional videotapes used in distance education courses) as highly competent and that, when instructors are expressive, warm, involved, and articulate, their course content is likely to be judged favorably, especially if…

Compared portfolio, performance, and traditional assessments of sixth graders. Found that authentic measures and self-evaluations were weakly correlated with or independent of performance grades and standardized test scores. Academic motivation was more predictive of traditional than authentic measures. Forty percent of students performed better…

Data from 24 restructuring elementary, middle, and high schools are used to examine teacher empowerment in schools with at least four years of experience with decentralized or school-based management. Findings suggest that empowerment is an important but not sufficient condition of change that does affect teaching quality and student performance.…

Discusses a study examining the relationship between student academic performance in an exit-level, developmental mathematics course and subsequent academic performance in a college-level mathematics course. Finds that developmental course performance and student age were significantly and positively related to academic success, while length of…

This article argues that challenges in motivating gifted underachievers should be addressed from an integrated systems approach. The design and implementation of specific interventions for these students are described, with a special focus on reward menus and behavior contracts. Suggested target behaviors and individual and class rewards are…