Assessment generally refers to large-scale, system-wide measurement programs for pupil diagnosis; pupil certification; program evaluation; research; accountability; resource allocations; or teacher evaluation. The purpose of assessment should determine the test content, construction, administration, and examinees sampled. Assessment methods for…

Introduces college level geography students to the International System of Units (SI), a standardized set of units used in science, engineering, and commerce. Identifies the SI base units as meter, kilogram, second, kelvin, ampere, mole, and candela. Includes geographically relevant examples of each. (MJP)

Examines forces that shape the design of assessment systems for teachers and some inherent contradictions with regard to curriculum and assessment. Proposes a system of assessment that is continuous, dynamic, and principled and does not remove from teachers the responsibility of defining what is important to student learning. (SD)

Analyzes the National Research Council's rating of political science departments and discovers the ratings reflect two general sets of characteristics, the size and productivity of the faculty. Reveals that the quality and impact of faculty research is more important than the overall output. Includes tables of statistical data. (MJP)

Presents survey results that reveal that most political science departments have clearly defined systems of summative teaching evaluation. These systems, however, lack diversity. Most rely solely on student assessment and use this primarily to identify potential problems. Recommends adopting more flexible and constructive approaches. (MJP)

Describes a continuing medical education program designed to provide physicians with the information and skills necessary for early intervention. The model provides competency-based training through an introductory seminar and a program of independent study in the areas of child-find, assessment, Individualized Family Service Plan development, and…

The following recommendations are made to assist multidisciplinary teams in developing educational programs for second-language learners: diversify the team and offer training; compare student performance in native and secondary languages; consider factors associated with second-language acquisition; employ alternative assessments; identify life…

Describes the use of interactive online instruction in preprofessional training programs for dieticians at three universities that incorporated cooperative learning strategies. Discusses computer attitudes, technology use, demographic variables, previous computer experience, amount of time spent, self-efficacy with the World Wide Web, evaluation…

Studied ratings by Australian counseling psychology graduate students (N=38) and practicing counseling psychologists (N=40) of four hypothetical clients' mental health. Presented "good,""bad," and "neutral" information on each client and asked subjects to rate clients' on Global Assessment Scale. Found bad information…

Describes the experiences of two graduate education professors in initiating and expanding the use of portfolios as a primary assessment tool in Educational Administration and Curriculum and Instruction courses, comparing their experiences in individual class settings and their collaborative application of the concept to a class in authentic…

A study of 24 Hispanic and American Indian college students attempted to refine the concept of academic integration in Tinto's model of education withdrawal. Findings suggest that measurement of academic integration could be strengthened by including indicators of the substance and process of academic advising, as students experience it.…

A sociometric tool for teachers was developed to study intergroup relationships in a junior high school in Israel in a study of academic and social integration of four distinct groups of students in a heterogeneous classroom. The format and application of the tool are reported in two school situations. (SLD)

Four articles address human factors in libraries, including (1) working with staff and users during library automation; (2) the concepts of diversity and multiculturalism when assessing reference staff and collections; (3) a mentoring program for librarians undergoing tenure review; and (4) patron privacy and the accountability of the reference…

Describes a study of elementary school students that investigated a model of computer-based cooperative learning, the Cooperative Learning Intergroup Competition (CLIC) model, used in an interactive video. Highlights include ability grouping, gender differences, student opinions, and a comparison of results with those from other cooperative…

Examines the state of multicultural education in the nation's largest public school systems, focusing on components of existing multicultural programs. Representatives of 28 of the country's largest 30 school systems responded to the telephone survey. Multicultural curricula exist in 20 of these school districts. (SLD)