Assessed prosocial and stigmatic reactions towards HIV- infected individuals based on mode of disease transmission. Findings from 227 college students reveal HIV-infected women were held less accountable than men and HIV-infected IV drug users were held more accountable and garnered less sympathetic reaction. Results are discussed in relation to…

Three school districts are working successfully with a private contractor to reduce the operating costs of lunch programs, while increasing participation and maintaining nutrition standards. The facilities department of the fourth school is producing higher quality work and greater accountability under the direction of a private contractor. (MLF)

A survey of 23 college and university coordinators who conduct assessment activities and report findings in connection with Tennessee's 15-year performance funding initiative reveals strengths and weaknesses associated with 10 indicators of institutional performance. Reasons for the program's longevity, designed to serve accountability and…

A survey of 100 college and university preaward research administration offices investigated the status of evaluation of these programs. Results suggest formal program evaluation is not a high priority among research administrators. Only 16% used formal evaluation, 53% used ad hoc evaluation, and only 20% initiated or requested evaluation.…

Uses a fable to make the point that professors in the academy must fashion the terms of the discourse about accountability and assessment so as to demonstrate that education is not entirely measurable by an increase in the tax base. Suggests that educators should work to shape surveys and other material to reflect the broader goals of an…

Defines four essential elements of a system of educational standards: (1) common, rigorous student achievement standards; (2) state-administered assessments; (3) explicit rewards for achievement; and (4) opportunity to reach the standards. Practices to ensure these conditions and enact a system based on these elements are discussed. (SLD)

The Dutch quality improvement model in higher education has successfully maintained the delicate balance between internal improvement and external accountability, but the faculty's clear ownership of the system (as contrasted with government ownership in some nations) has made continuous quality improvement a dominant feature of the current Dutch…

Reviews the literature on the political context of school desegregation, including: the effect of federal involvement, the impact of policy on equitable opportunities for urban children; school reform and school achievement; and equity and accountability. Addresses the compatibility of educational improvement strategies and achievement in the…

Although regents and administrators may be well versed in student outcomes assessment, many faculty members remain unaware--or skeptical at best--of this recent change. Document offers a review of assessment's brief history and presents one department's attempts to involve faculty in all stages of the assessment process. Contains 12 references,…

Describes results from a 3-year study of charter schools in Alberta, Canada. Case studies of Alberta's 12 charter schools (involving document review, interviews, observations, and surveys) indicated that parents, teachers, and students were very satisfied with the schools, and there were steady levels of student enrollment. Most of the schools…

Findings from a study conducted with 203 suburban secondary and elementary teachers in Ohio reveal concerns about proficiency testing's effects on professional job environment, curriculum, student learning behavior and needs, and community relations. Economic and policy forces are de-professionalizing certain aspects of teachers' work. (Contains…

The need for programmatic cost information, data compatibility, and understanding input/output relationships are sparking efforts to improve standards for organizing and reporting educational-resource data. Unlike accountants, economists measure resources in real terms and organize information around service delivery, using a resource-cost model.…

Examines how evaluation by the Japanese University Accreditation Association (JUAA) can provide incentive to improve university governance, including research, education, management, staff development, curriculum, and admission policies. The underlying concept of university evaluation in Japan is a combination of self-monitoring and external…

Presents the results of a study of community college faculty development activities. Reports that the colleges examined relied on traditional approaches to faculty development and made minimal efforts at evaluation. Urges colleges to develop more focused faculty development programs that are proven to improve learning and teaching. (Contains 35…

Describes the assessment of student learning outcomes in six domains: general education, transfer programs, vocational and occupational education, remedial and developmental education, continuing education, and affective and noncognitive areas. Discusses the use of assessment results and the implications of assessment for external accountability…