This report focuses on the field test initiated to substantiate the utility and application of previously developed staff development needs assessment instruments and their use. These instruments were intended for use by practicing and pre-service vocational education administrators. (A preliminary report documenting instrument design and…

Presents major outcomes of a 2-year trial of the Open University's Cyclops shared-screen telewriting tutorial system. Impact of the system is considered in terms of human factors of the technology; tutors' and students' experience with Cyclops; and tutorial activities and their acceptability to participants. (Author)

Universal design is an approach to educational assessment based on principles of accessibility for a wide variety of end users. Elements of universal design include inclusive test population; precisely defined constructs; accessible, non-biased items; tests that are amenable to accommodations; simple, clear and intuitive procedures; maximum…

This final report discusses the components and outcomes of the RIDE (Reaching Individuals with Disabilities Early) Project, a program that supports the inclusion of young children with disabilities in their school environments, homes, and communities. The core component of the RIDE Model, Students' Success and Inclusion in the Regular Education…

The Calgary Libraries Telidon Trial involved four major libraries--Calgary Public, Mount Royal College, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the University of Calgary--and resulted in videotex library services. This report discusses the beginning of the project, types of information input, conclusions of library-information providers, and…

Describes the implementation and field testing of PsychWare, a courseware package for introductory psychology developed and field tested at New York Institute of Technology. Highlights include the courseware package (10 software programs, a faculty manual, and a student workbook), and instructional design features (simulations, real-time…

Concepts of adaptive testing and the related measurement model, item response theory, are introduced and benefits and limitations are outlined. Field tests with over 2,500 students illustrate the use of adaptive tests in college placement. Some future directions for computerized adaptive testing are considered. (SLD)

Describes an objective-based curriculum, Native Peoples of the Southwest, that was developed to educate elementary school children about Native American cultures. Program materials are described, including printed materials, slides, audiotapes, overhead transparencies, and artifacts; field testing is reported; and guidelines are offered for…

Discussion of long-term instructional development focuses on the development and implementation of a K-12 energy education curriculum over a 20-year period. Highlights include field testing; fund raising; learner performance on posttests; revisions and updates; and guidelines for long-term instructional development projects. (LRW)

The purpose of this article is to develop, validate, and field test two readiness assessment instruments, "Schools Ready for Children" and "Children Ready for School." The authors first describe the development of the assessment instrument dealing with policies and practices of "ready" schools. The items on this…

In response to this digital divide between developed and developing countries in their use of computers to prepare students for the global economy, the World Bank and, subsequently, the World Links organization provided schools in developing countries with networked computers and training that supports integration of ICT into teaching. This…

Because of the well-documented role caregiving plays in child development and socialization, family service programs commonly aim to improve parenting. Despite the common emphasis on parenting behavior, few programs regularly assess it, because existing observational tools, designed primarily for research purposes, prove too cumbersome for use in…

The purpose of this project was to strengthen consumer and homemaking education programs in New Jersey by increasing the competence of home economics educators to meet the needs of school-age pregnant and parenting students through their programs. The objectives of the project were: (1) to field test a curriculum designed for school-age pregnant…

In contrast to multiple-choice test questions, figural response items call for constructed responses and rely upon figural material, such as illustrations and graphs, as the response medium. Figural response questions in various science domains were created and administered to a sample of 347 fourth, 365 eighth, and 322 twelfth graders. Data were…

In 1993 teachers in the Virginia Beach (Virginia) public schools asked parents what they think about classroom practices as part of a client satisfaction project. A questionnaire called the Parent Perception Survey was mailed to more than 40,000 homes to ask about parent satisfaction with the teaching their children were receiving. A teacher task…