This study of 25 teachers in literature-based language arts programs in poor urban areas found that assessment issues produce considerable conflict for teachers as they attempt to understand and track children's literacy development and their own effectiveness in teaching children to read and write. Results suggest that assessment is not merely a…

Describes an assessment model as applied in an English for academic purposes, pre-university English as a Second Language writing program that allows teachers to set standards while promoting learner self- and peer-assessment. Points out that this model encourages learner control while keeping performance-based standards at desirable levels. (13…

Maintains that a required course in public policy analysis can serve as a natural capstone experience for undergraduate curricula in public administration. By teaching analysis, rather than teaching about analysis, undergraduate programs can integrate other elements of the curriculum and prepare students to understand the policy process more…

Discusses the advantages of creating teaching portfolios. Portfolios help teachers examine how and why they teach, how they change, whether they evaluate, and whether they get and give feedback. The self-reflective statements must be supported with personal materials, student and colleague feedback, and excellence in teaching products. (SM)

Encourages and guides teachers in utilizing direct praise of students to increase performance and self confidence, and to build positive self esteem. Details specific language habits, gestures, and methods for teachers to identify their behaviors, critical remarks, and evaluative terms, and replace them with feedback that reinforces correct…

Examines methodological problems affecting assessment of bilingual children's cognitive and language development. Analysis of three qualitative instruments used to identify gifted students among Mexican American bilingual kindergartners revealed the influence of first and second language, verbal and nonverbal assessment procedures, multiple…

Describes the introduction of a closed-circuit interactive television system into medical school teaching in London. Plans to incorporate large group lectures and small group bedside teaching are discussed, communications technology is explained, teacher training programs are discussed, and technical and educational evaluations are described,…

Five hearing-impaired high-school students used telephone communication devices for the deaf (TDDs) to converse with each other and with the researchers. Results indicated that TDD conversational exchanges can be used as a language sampling context, and the Burton analysis system provides empirical information regarding the categories/patterns of…

Overviews government policy of national coordination aimed at achieving broad agreements on curriculum objectives for the General Certificate for Secondary Education and providing examinations reflecting that agreement. This article also presents the experience of teachers and examiners regarding the validity of the government's claim as to the…

Missouri's two-tiered higher education funding program addresses state-level accountability demands while rewarding campus-level improvements in teaching and learning. The context and evolution of the program are described, characteristics of the state-level and campus-level planning efforts are outlined, and issues in implementation and future…

The more successful college and university responses to the demand for accountability and assessment have been campus-based, with administrative and faculty leadership and support. Efforts initiated in state governments have been less substantive. An emerging trend in Europe is toward quality audits by peer assessment teams, reflecting greater…

Describes a study conducted at Iowa State University with minority high school graduates that investigated student propensity to learn library skills independently and to determine whether learning was enhanced through the use of culturally oriented materials. Highlights include a review of literature concerning bibliographic instruction and…

Discusses educational reform and examines the role of library media programs based on fictional scenarios, including centralization with public libraries; educational consultants; teacher-librarians and curriculum development; information literacy programs, including assessment techniques; and implications for library collections, automation,…

Discusses cooperation between school and public libraries and presents a self-evaluation inventory that can be used for implementation and evaluation by school library media specialists and public library youth services librarians. Highlights include communication; technology and electronic media; sexual harassment; and selection of sensitive…

Discussion of performance-based assessment in elementary and secondary schools in Kentucky focuses on the use of hypermedia as an effective alternative for assessing student learning. Curriculum activities are described for science, language arts, foreign language, mathematics, social studies, and physical education. (Contains seven references.)…