Investigates experienced university English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) composition instructors' text comprehension when engaged in holistic evaluation of non-native-speakers' (NNS) texts. Concludes that time constraints or use of preestablished rating parameters, do not affect comprehension, and that holistic raters attend to meaning when…

Twelve articles discuss the advantages of theory-driven evaluation for: (1) identifying crucial issues; (2) integrating program implementation into evaluation; (3) diagnosing problems in program studies; (4) diagnosing problems in program structures; and (5) enhancing evaluation utilization. Topics include optimizing validity in program and…

Reviews the development by the North Central Association's Commission on Schools of an accreditation alternative based on the measurement of educational outcomes. Presents results from an evaluation of the outcomes-oriented process by a panel of internal evaluators (school personnel) and external evaluators (visiting team members). (DMM)

Compares perceptions of the K-12 School Evaluative Criteria (1983) among personnel from schools that had previously been through the accreditation/self-study process and personnel who had not. Teachers with no previous experience were able to cope with the self-study with no more difficulty than teachers with experience. (DMM)

The longitudinal evaluation component of the Dutch National Education Priority Programme is discussed. This general policy program focuses on reducing all education arrears based on ascriptive criteria. The evaluation design includes the longitudinal cohort studies and a number of specific projects within the compensatory education program. (TJH)

Discussed is the issue of the appropriateness of applied science approaches to evaluation in environmental education. The relationships between characteristics of applied science approaches to evaluation and the special characteristics of environmental education are explored. (Author/YP)

Provides a comprehensive perspective on assessment in community colleges, indicating that there is great variance among institutions in the extent and sophistication of their assessment practices. Suggests that there are three categories of outcomes: student performance at community colleges, transfer institutions, and occupations; student…

It is assumed that evaluators of the future will still be interested in case study methodology. Scenarios that ignore a case study method, that look back to a distinctive case study method, and that see the case study method as an integrating force in the qualitative-quantitative debate are explored. (SLD)

A needs assessment was conducted at a community college to assist in planning professional and staff development programs. Participants used the nominal group technique to develop needs lists and suggested solutions were analyzed using the performance technology model. Five intervention categories encompassing both training and nontraining options…

Presents results of a Delphi study of the five components of developing a plan for governing board assessment: plan prerequisites and purposes, evaluation areas and criteria, data sources, and administrative procedures. Reports that board members were open to the idea of assessment. (97 references.) (DMM)

Reports on a study of the use of musical scores and rating scales by 80 pianists who listened to 21 trials of solo piano music. Found that the use of musical scores and rating scales did not improve interrater reliability. Discovered that the subjects were less consistent when evaluating slow musical pieces than faster pieces. (CFR)

The development and potential usefulness of a modified accomplishment record technique to assess aspects of teaching under the talent-development model were explored through questionnaires completed by 18 college faculty members. Results support the usefulness of accomplishment records for selection decisions within professional populations. (SLD)

Reports on a cross-sectional evaluation of content achievement among 71 college-level psychology majors. Finds introductory students scored higher in social psychology but experimental psychology scores improved among advanced students. Also finds psychology students scored better than management majors on a standardized reasoning test. (CFR)

Explores numerous procedures to evaluate a pupil's reading achievement. Discusses different evaluation methods including criterion-referenced tests; contextualism in reading; discussions in the reading curriculum; conferences with pupils; and using portfolios. Concludes that the best objectives, learning opportunities, appraisal procedures, and an…

Presents a case for using benefit-cost analysis to structure evaluations of child-abuse prevention and intervention programs. Presents the basic concept of benefit-cost analysis, its application in the context of assessing these types of child welfare programs, and limitations on its application to social service programs. (Author)