This study assessed factors contributing to global program quality in 180 community-based child-care centers in North Carolina. Inclusive early-childhood programs scored higher on the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale. Other predictors of global program quality included teacher education, professional experience, and teacher self-ratings of…

Outlines five popular alternative assessment measures that can be used to provide a multidimensional perspective of students' educational needs and enhance instructional programming, including portfolio assessment, performance-based assessment, authentic assessment, curriculum-based assessment, and criterion-referenced assessment. Guidelines for…

Examined whether indexes of verbal imprecision could be quantified and used to predict changes in fifth graders' problem-solving performance. Found that four types of verbal imprecision predicted improved performance: false starts and self-repairs, deletions, long pauses, and metacognitive comments. Results suggested that adopting a new approach…

Examines the extent of attainment of managerial skills through distance education, the impact of multimedia on career of learners and the influence of acquired managerial skills on the managerial performance. Findings revealed that the multimedia materials helped greatly in the development of managerial skills, which facilitates the performance of…

Determines when U.S. children begin to self-handicap, that is, to reduce preparation effort before evaluations. Finds that the high-self-esteem third graders acted adaptively by practicing more for the evaluation task, while the high-self-esteem sixth graders prepared more only if they had been reminded of their personal resources beforehand. (CMK)

Considers the real authenticity of performance-based assessments, exploring their relationship to pedagogical practices that address ethnic and linguistic diversity. Describes an effort to transform English instruction and assessment in ways that draw on the cultural funds of knowledge of African-American students. (SLD)

Authentic assessment requires students to think critically while applying skills to solve real-world problems. Integrating traditional and authentic assessment can provide accurate pictures of what students know. This paper describes one elementary teacher's experiences with alternative assessment, discussing possible concerns with using authentic…

Examines a seven-year study at the University of Ottawa (Canada) which studied the impact of instructional consultation on college teaching. The study found faculty who sought individual consultation services (n=99) were representative of the faculty at large and that consultation services resulted in significantly improved student ratings,…

Applied the analytical judgment standard setting method to 90 papers from the 1996 Grade 8 National Assessment of Educational Progress science assessment. Compared sorting versus direct classification, long and short versions of the classification scale, and effects of discussion on cutscores. Results from 17 Georgia teachers and 8 Michigan…

Data from 77 ninth-grade Spanish students who took an objective test, a performance assessment, and a measure of perceptions of control indicate that control perceptions predict scores on performance assessments, not objective tests. Performance assessments thus reflect motivational variables beyond the constructs being tested. (SK)

In one California high school, learning to learn is a measurable outcome assessed by all students' participation in graduation by exhibition. Students must meet state requirements and demonstrate learning prowess by publicly exhibiting their skills in math, science, language arts, social science, service learning, and postgraduation planning. (MLH)

Studied 8- and 11-year-olds as evaluators of peer group entry and limited resources. Found older children evaluated peers more positively than did younger for limited resources conflicts. Found all children evaluated the focal peer's intentions during group entry more negatively than intentions during limited resources and evaluated peer responses…

Discussion of trends in the accountability movement in higher education considers accountability versus autonomy, effects of massification, limitations of public expenditures, measuring institutional performance in the United States and United Kingdom, emerging performance-based reforms, and commonalities among performance-based systems. Notes…

Efforts that have made a difference and must be more broadly applied for women to achieve equal status in the work force include legislation, networking, recruitment, and mentoring. A performance management approach is suggested, with strategies including specifying measurable goals, understanding and developing skills and preferences, determining…

Indicates the lack of professional development of preservice teachers on student evaluation. Discusses some assessment strategies and performance assessment. (YDS)