Improved dissemination and utilization of results from statewide assessment of student performance is critically needed. Prior research shows that less than one third of all states can provide evidence of using such data to make significant classes of decisions most frequently cited as a justification for the initiation of such programs. Yet the…

Recent federal legislation in education has had an impact on education in the local school districts. The most obvious example is the use of federal funds and the consequent requirement for accountability. The local education agency is now faced with the need for management of the requirements for accountability. It is the intent of this…

What is meant by "accountability" varies a great deal. It is not, however, the tools such as merit salary plans, voucher plans, and management techniques that are used to achieve accountability. Accountability has from its earliest days been tied to testing. In discussing testing, it is necessary to discuss the pros and cons of standardized, or…

Within the last several years, between 400 and 500 faculty development programs have been instituted in colleges and universities. However, there is no clear agreement on what faculty development programs should be doing. This paper examines the major approaches to faculty development that institutions can use and the role of institutional…

The National Board on Graduate Education (NBGE), founded in 1969, studies the issues facing graduate education, assists those concerned with graduate education in establishing sound policies, and discusses new forms and emphases that must be given to these purposes so that the contributions of graduate education can be enhanced. In this document,…

This paper describes an adaptation of Dyer's regression model that uses data on individual students in an attempt to isolate the influence of different schools on variations in student achievement growth. This procedure involves comparing the results of a multiple regression analysis of individual student achievement scores and several…

Competency-based instruction provides the mechanism necessary to implement the democratic and humanitarian philosophies espoused by community colleges. This document discusses the need for competency-based instruction, identifies instructional methods, and provides insights into the curricular ends of this type of instruction. An instructional…

Politics of evaluation and accountability are not practiced solely by evaluators and accountants; everyone does it. This is because evaluation and accountability are fraught with decision situations which embody the potential to become political. Among sources of conflict in evaluation and accountability are questions of goals and priorities,…

The Special Studies Subcommittee, conducting an inquiry into proprietary vocational schools, explored ways to limit the misuse of vocational training, to minimize the waste of government funds, and to correct the abuses of misleading advertising, unethical recruiting, and the acceptance of unqualified students. Statements, presented or submitted,…

Possible methods of improving the effectiveness of curriculum materials are listed and analyzed. Three factors are identified as heightening concern over effectiveness: the quantity of materials available, increasing decentralization of schooling, and the accountability movement. Basic issues discussed include evaluation of learning materials,…

This volume is a collection of papers and presentations given at 3 meetings sponsored by the Southern Regional Education Board between May and July 1972. Taken collectively, these articles provide valuable insight into, and vital information about, the problems facing both academicians and public officials as they prepare for the future of…

This paper describes six existing evaluator-auditor working formats and the conditions which foster credibility of evaluation findings. Evaluators were classified as: (1) member of project developmental team, accountable to project director; (2) independent internal evaluator, accountable to system in general but not to project directors, and (3)…

In the current controversy over accountability in education, educators concerned with the affective aspects of education seem to be in danger of losing the battle of "behavioral objectives" on two fronts: (1) demonstrating that the affective behavior of the teacher does make a difference in educational outcomes, and (2) demonstrating how affective…

The current malaise in social science education research is the result of a stalemate between social studies educators and their research activities at the university level: (1) The social studies educator is not held accountable for research as for teaching courses or supervising student teachers. (2) "Research" is so loosely defined that one can…

This article presents views of proponents and opponents to standardized tests, isolates the major weakness of testing--questionable validity--and offers several recommendations for the betterment of test development and use. Some major misuses of tests include the following: (a) tests are at times administered with no clear purpose; (b) test…