This paper describes a needs assessment process that identifies a range of performance improvement strategies using the steps of the Evaluation Research Model (Geroy and Wright, 1988). A detailed description of a project conducted by the Professional Development Committee of a mid-sized community college in suburban Philadelphia to identify…

The efforts of the Austin (Texas) Public School District to improve the readability and usefulness of technical reports are reviewed. Coincident with, or consequent to, a 1977 letter by W. E. Jones to the editor of an Austin paper (the "Austin American Statesman") complaining about excessively lengthy (500-page) evaluation reports, the…

Program impact methodology--usually referred to as evaluation research--is described as it is developing in the United States. Several problems face the field of evaluation research. First, those issues grouped as "meta-scientific" include: (1) the distinction between qualitative and quantitative studies; (2) the separation of implementation and…

The focus of this study is the relationship between superintendents and principals and their collaborative approach to improving administrative performance. The research for this study was conducted in two phases. During the first phase, the Performance Rating Scale, which assesses the administrative performance of the school principal, was…

Val Rust, Aminata Soumare, Octavio Pescador, and Megumi Shibuya's article, "Research Strategies in Comparative Education" is a very important piece of scholarship in the field of comparative and international education. Historically, there has been much scholarly debate regarding the theoretical approaches found in the field and, on a smaller…

This "Research to Practice Note" provides an overview of the cognitive science and measurement theory and research findings that support the EFF approach to assessment. Among the key findings addressed are the following: (1) Good assessment is grounded in a clear and explicit model of the cognitive processes that underlie complex and purposeful…

In 1998, the Australian Research Council provided funding for a three year research project to develop professional standards and assessments for the English teaching profession. The project team is a consortium of researchers from three major universities together with the two national English teaching associations and representatives from state…

The V-chip is an electronic filtering device that parents can use to block the reception of sensitive or potentially harmful television programming they do not want their children to see. Given that the revised V-chip rating framework including content descriptors has been in effect for a full year, it becomes essential to examine how the array of…

Focuses on the emotional/cognitive processes associated with teacher ratings of empathic and socially competent behaviors. Results indicate that children (N=120) with higher empathy ratings and at higher grade levels received higher scores on a storytelling measure--the Thematic Apperception Test. Clarifies the social information processing of…

Summarizes current research and writing about components of assessment plans (statement of purpose, goals and outcomes objectives, and assessment mechanisms) and about the work involved in conducting an annual assessment program. Discusses the development of assessment within sociology and poses research questions. Examines the assessment…

Considers the development of an inter-rater reliability correlation comparing the judgments, or scores, or each judge to see if their observations are similar. Presents a case study of the Northville Public Schools' data for the 2000 MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) Writing Test. Concludes that in this case study the state fails both…

Describes a toolkit that was developed to help faculty members evaluate learning that uses information and communication technologies. Presents a two-part evaluation of the toolkit's impact which demonstrates that this approach enhances design, supports reflection, and prompts users to consider the most appropriate approach to evaluation.…

Discussion of technological problem-solving skills focuses on a study of Israeli seventh graders' work while engaged in design tasks within an unstructured learning environment. Reports on the evaluation/modification cycles, including conceptual constituents of the cycles; students' decisions regarding the original design goals; and the…

Highlights issues in research and evaluation of profiles and records of student achievement. Draws material from reviewing sessions with students. Issues noted are (1) teacher domination; (2) differences between high and low achieving pupils; and (3) gender variations in responses. (NL)

Discusses an effort to critically evaluate research relevant to the education of children under five. The effort involved a report on the implications of the research for policy, practice, and further research. (Author/BB)