This report presents case studies of 4 adults with autism who enrolled in a work-training program utilizing a behavioral social interaction approach, and were subsequently competitively employed for 6 to 30 months. Success was associated with such factors as appropriate communication and interpersonal skills, gradual fading of supervision, and…

This study of 501 children and adults found that subjects with mental retardation or borderline intelligence were less proficient at identifying facial expressions of emotion than were children of average intelligence. Among individuals with mental retardation or borderline intelligence, recognition increased with intelligence quotient. Among…

In 1988, Indiana adopted a system of performance-based accreditation for its public schools. This article summarizes a study to describe the program's planning and implementation processes, evaluate program effects, and determine whether relationships exist among successful school improvement and planning and three elements identified in the…

Today's educational goals are too varied to be adequately evaluated only by conventional tests and measures. The wide variability of adolescents' development requires assessment devices that transcend the limitations of traditional paper-and-pencil assessments. Assessment should be continuous, comprehensive, multidimensional, collaborative, and…

Six industrial-technology graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) with prior teaching experience and 11 who took a course on instruction were rated by 140 and 106 undergraduates respectively, with no significant differences in instructor effectiveness. Exit interviews with GTAs led to a recommendation that all GTAs, even those with prior teaching…

Examined the validity of aural and oral self-report scales for determining the Fiji Hindi proficiency of new adolescent immigrants in New Zealand. Participants completed self-reports and performance tests (oral interviews, listening-comprehension tests, and vocabulary tests). Performance tests correlated strongly with self-reports. Respondents…

In a two-phase study, 148 undergraduate students identified qualities of effective teachers. These and items from existing measures of teaching effectiveness were combined, and this meta-inventory was administered to 266 psychology students. Results revealed teacher effectiveness is multidimensional in nature, comprising three factors: respect for…

A four-year study followed teaching changes of an experienced economics professor as he participated in an informal faculty discussion group. Results are presented in three sections, each representing a different perspective: a narrative based on two interviews; a framework depicting teaching improvement as a dynamic process of conceptual and…

Discusses the National Commission on Testing and Public Policy's critique of current standardized testing on grounds of its inequities and its effects on curriculum. Finds that one kind of alternative assessment that can realign assessment with curriculum is authentic assessment. Focuses on performance assessment. Connects authentic and…

A study compared the accuracy of experienced staff with a learning test in predicting the ability of 18 persons with mental retardation to learn 12 training tasks. Results found the Assessment of Basic Learning Abilities test was more accurate for predicting client performance than the assessments of experienced staff. (Author/CR)

Defines "time on task;" highlights aspects that contribute to engaging activities for learning. Discusses time needed for and time spent on learning; factors that influence quality of instruction; capabilities of teachers that influence the efficient use of time; several ways in which timing is critical for effective instruction; and convincing…

Examined deductive reasoning in 120 adolescents and relationship of parental style and test anxiety to reasoning performance. Found that tenth and twelfth graders demonstrated more advanced reasoning than sixth graders. Authoritative parenting was related to more advanced reasoning performance and lower test anxiety than nonauthoritative…

Discusses how various school districts are addressing school quality on tight budgets. Options discussed include use of portable classrooms, streamlining non-educational services, leasing and performance contracting, and energy improvements and working with power utilities to cut costs. Argues for adopting and enforcing ISO 9000 standards to…

Describes a staff-development course for middle school teachers which builds a collaborative learning environment using the Internet and Lotus Notes Learning Space. The course features activities that demonstrate performance outcomes, interactive instructional strategies, authentic assessment, and a student-centered learning environment that…

Discusses three evolving paradigms for supporting learning and work performance: instructional design, performance support, and network systems. Describes an overall trend toward greater flexibility and empowerment, and shows how each paradigm reflects the technologies available at the time of its initial development. (AEF)