The DELTA program of the Austin Independent School District (AISD) (Texas) is an open-entry, open-exit competency-based diploma program in 10 high schools that is designed to help recover former dropouts and to prevent students who are at risk from dropping out. Instruction in the program is individualized and self-paced, but goals for the DELTA…

This report identifies planned activities to be undertaken through the year 2004 to develop postsecondary education in California. Following an executive summary, section 1 of the report identifies recent changes in the environmental context of California postsecondary education in the following areas: elementary and secondary schools, California…

Evaluators usually assume that the data they receive are valid, or at least, that the data reflect that which is being evaluated. In a recent evaluation in a large southern school district, evaluators compared their raw interview notes with interview notes edited by the teachers interviewed or project staff. The program evaluated was Project SEED,…

This document is the basic record book in a multi-booklet record keeping system for all students in each of the taxonomy program areas of agricultural education. The record book covers elements common to all agricultural education students: occupational and leadership goal planning, net worth, market value inventory of assets, leadership and…

Based on interviews with state personnel and a review of state documents, this report summarizes activities by the states in assessment of educational outcomes for students with disabilities. The report is divided into six sections addressing: (1) state contexts; (2) special education federally reported data; (3) state assessment of outcomes; (4)…

This report provides financial information on 21 degree granting universities and related institutions which receive grants from the provincial government of Ontario, Canada. The report first explains the general guidelines and reporting requirements used in compiling the information; the principles of fund accounting involved; and the definitions…

This conference paper presents a description of how faculty workloads are assessed for fiscal and other purposes at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Following a discussion of workload issues, the paper examines: (1) definition of workload; (2) methodology for data collection; (3) development of a faculty full-time equivalency database and two…

This paper discusses the results of a randomly selected standing poll panel implemented at Saint Mary's College at Notre Dame, Indiana, called PRISM (Prompt Response to Improve Saint Mary's). PRISM is designed to quickly ascertain the attitudes and opinions of a panel of 120 college students. Sample topics of PRISM surveys have included campus…

Indicators of mathematics and science education progress are important to policymakers and the public in order to evaluate the quality of education. Recent reports have evaluated existing indicators and suggested core aspects of mathematics and science education that an indicator system should evaluate. This note discusses two fundamental aspects…

This report provides financial information on 21 degree granting universities and related institutions which receive grants from the provincial government of Ontario, Canada. The report first explains the general guidelines and reporting requirements used in compiling the information; the principles of fund accounting involved; and the definitions…

A context in which existing items may provide a convenient source of questions for questionnaires was explored through a case study making use of existing comparison groups. Two programs at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), the Science and Engineering Research Semester (SERS) and the Laboratory Graduate Research Participation (Lab Grad)…

This report presents the results of a federally mandated study done to determine the best means of identifying, locating, and counting homeless children and youth, for the purpose of facilitating their successful participation in school and other educational activities. Several alternative approaches to obtaining consistent national estimates of…

This report evaluates the Migrant Student Record Transfer System (MSRTS), a national computer system of records on migrant children, that was voluntarily created in 1969 by state directors of the Migrant Education Program (MEP). As the Federal Government instituted policy changes, MSRTS became the primary source of data for federal and state…

A general framework is provided for examining the validity of performance standards for high-stakes achievement tests. The emphasis is on conceptual issues and broadly defined methodological questions, the types of validity evidence that can be collected, and the advantages and limitations of different types of evidence. Validation consists of a…

A rationale for school-based evaluation, criteria for a sensible evaluation and assessment system, and a systematic process for implementing an evaluation and assessment system are presented. School-based evaluation can be used as a management tool and a means of improving aspects of teaching. Sensible evaluation must be aligned with school goals,…