Arguments for replacing standardized multiple choice tests with performance assessment that encourages teachers to devote more attention to higher order skills, and thus results in increased student achievement, are based on three assumptions: (1) the teaching profession, key decision makers, and parents will accept performance assessment measures…

The criteria for accreditation and reaffirmation published by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) have been developed to assist institutions in evaluating their effectiveness. In this study, the criteria are reviewed. An instrument to assess the Southern Association criteria was developed based on input from the association's…

Fifteen college classes were identified via standardized student ratings as having had superior testing procedures. Instructors in those classes were asked to describe their evaluation procedures, and interviews were conducted with 27 students randomly selected from the classes. Interviewed students stressed the "communicative" dimension…

A project was conducted to provide staff development opportunities to adult education instructors so they could use the Adult Informal Measures developed at the University of Pittsburgh, with a long-range goal of creating a staff development model for the use of informal assessment in adult education programs by instructors with varying expertise…

In 1991 a committee was created by Iowa's Legislative Council to study issues related to the reform of Iowa's education system and examine the status and future of education in Iowa. The committee also analyzed nationwide trends and, based on their findings, developed a comprehensive blueprint for school transformation in Iowa. This blueprint…

A project was undertaken to develop a guide to help small business programs select good education and training programs for their staff. An initial step was a review of literature related to adult education and training in small business and training evaluation. The initial plan was to have the guidebook be specific to a given industry or other…

As one of several efforts to address the low retention rates of beginning teachers in California schools, the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Project (BTSA) is providing support for new teachers along with a component that assesses their classroom competencies. The assessment component and planned evaluation studies are described. BTSA…

This booklet explains the operation of New Zealand's National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and its relationship to workplace assessment. Discussed first is the NQF's mission of encouraging people to continue their education and training after secondary school and permitting flexibility in where and how people train. The role of the NQF in…

This paper discusses issues in implementing an assessment center in educational management programs at the university level. The assessment center would be used to determine the ability of a student to perform the management work of the principal. Practical work experience should be included as an integral part of an educational management course…

This study attempted to identify potential measures for evaluating the multiple outcomes and activities associated with programs designed to promote employment of youths with disabilities. It sought to identify measures for 17 program outcomes and 51 associated activities that had been identified previously by model demonstration transition…

This report examines outcomes of the Primary Language Record (PLR), a program for systematically observing students in various aspects of their literacy development. The PLR uses classroom events and samples of student work to record students' progress and interests, recommend strategies for addressing needs and building on talents, and discuss…

Over the last 2 years, 3 Australian universities have been cooperating on a Commonwealth Government funded project on Distance Teaching and Evaluation Skills to identify and disseminate good practice in the professional development of distance educators. A specific and supportive professional development intervention to foster the evaluation of…

Process evaluation is a critical element in understanding the results of any research. Because action research is conducted by practitioners, there is a tendency to think that there is little need for process evaluation. Yet, the complexity of factors underlying most educational treatments tends to defeat all but the best memories when attempting…

The selection of courseware is a difficult problem in the use of computers in education. A dissemination procedure for a courseware selection instrument involving workshops for computer coordinators is described. Computer coordinators of 267 Dutch secondary schools were asked how they used certain sources of information in selecting courseware.…

A new video evaluation instrument is demonstrated. It is designed specifically for distance education, to be used for instructional design consultation, distance education teacher training, or research. Categories include students interacting with teachers, with other students, and content. Analyzing interaction in two-way television requires an…