This module on evaluating regular and cooperative vocational programs is 1 in a series of 10 modules written for vocational education teacher education programs. It provides the basic information necessary to conduct or supervise regular and cooperative vocational education program evaluations. Introductory materials include the following: a list…

The Child Development Inventory (CDI), a restandardized version of the Minnesota Child Development Inventory, is completed by parents to measure the developmental progress of their children ages 15 months to 6 years or children judged to be functioning in that age range. It measures present development in eight areas: social, self-help, gross…

Four studies are reported that used a metacognitive evaluation procedure that can be group-administered and objectively scored. The procedure assesses the knowledge monitoring component of metacognition by evaluating the discrepancy between students' estimates of how well they are likely to perform on a task and their actual performance. The first…

More valid assessments for multicultural populations would help counseling professionals better serve their clients and improve the lives of many people whose backgrounds and experiences may differ from those of White clients. Four common misuses of multicultural contexts are: (1) assuming that labeling something solves the problem; (2) using…

This study analyzed the special education program evaluation practices of 49 states and the District of Columbia based on states' required reporting under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and on state plans. Comparison of the results with those from a 1984 study suggests the following trends: (1) an increase in the number…

A study examined the feasibility and implications of awarding credit for traditional extramural studies courses throughout the United Kingdom (Credit Frameworks and Learning Outcomes Programme). The project's objectives were as follows: assess demand for and acceptability of credit among existing and potential students; test new forms of…

Both the Department of Education (ED) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) support a wide variety of studies of systemic and other educational reform in science, mathematics, and technology. Many of the studies have common or complementary purposes. To provide more comprehensive knowledge as a basis for decision making and to manage resources…

Learners of all ages need to expand their self-knowledge and determine the ways their interests and abilities are applicable in the changing social, economic, and work environments. Many of the new ways of teaching and learning offer processes by which students can gain experiences that enhance their self-knowledge. These varied learning processes…

A variety of materials and forms used in the development of vocational English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs for industry employees are provided, with little narrative information. They include: a list of criteria for teacher selection; forms for recording contacts with companies; a list of information sources and content areas and several…

During the 1994-95 program year, the staff of Even Start, a family literacy program in Lincoln (Nebraska), and an evaluator collaborated to create a low-stakes, small-scale portfolio assessment to collect information on program impact. The small scale of the evaluation offered opportunities to involve the staff in each step of the portfolio…

This digest provides a review of the research literature on assessment of the effectiveness of higher education in producing graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for well-educated citizens today. Major findings are grouped as answers or partial answers to the following nine questions: (1) "what are the critical competencies and…

This manual presents information about student learning, assessments, and evaluation, and gives practical suggestions for aiding student achievement in the visual arts. The Introduction, (1) "Finding Tar Beach: A Context for Assessment" (Deborah Smith-Shank) reminds educators that evaluation, assessment, and judgment procedures selected should…

An internationalized dietetic technician (DT) program was developed at the Milwaukee Area Technical College through a process that included the design and development of international modules to be used through infusion or an individual unit approach in selected courses. The following procedures were used: a review of the literature on benefits of…

Educators are beginning to look at authentic assessment as a valid alternative to standardized tests and traditional objective tests. Although authentic assessment means different things to different people, it is understood to focus on whether or not students can use the skills and strategies they have learned and apply them in appropriate…

The relationship between selected contextual and socioeconomic variables and school-level results from a statewide performance-based student assessment system was studied using the Kentucky Instructional Results Information System (KIRIS). KIRIS uses portfolios of student work, scores from on-demand assessments, and student performance on…