Hatfield Polytechnic offers a degree program in Contemporary Studies designed for adult students, barticularly women who wish to study part-time during the day. Discussion of the program focuses on curriculum content, rate of study, admissions requirements, counseling, preparatory courses, child care arrangements, and student financial aid. (JMD)

Describes a study which utilizes Holland's model of vocational choice as a construct to evaluate health related professions student personality types. Professional areas examined are occupational and physical therapy health workers and medical technologists. (LAS)

Discusses two approaches for evaluating distance education. One collects six categories of evaluation information (measures): activity, efficiency, outcomes, program aims, policy, and organization. The other identifies key questions needed for effective evaluation and methods for determining outcomes in five areas: accountability, effectiveness,…

Describes a study that analyzed the distance-learning policies and guidelines for six regional accrediting agencies. Found that most agencies are studying how to address distance learning. Argues for the elimination of accreditation differences between on-campus and distance learning in community colleges. (10 citations) (JDI)

Describes the comparative approach to system evaluation used in a project which administered an online retrieval test to an experimental online catalog to produce data for evaluating effectiveness of a new subject access design. Discusses efforts used to ensure data reliability, and strategies the researchers can use to improve on the data…

Traditional approaches to defining academic quality (reputational, resources, and outcomes or value-added) are criticized as not providing useful information. An alternative perspective is offered, focusing on fundamental course-level academic processes and defining the quality of such processes as the level of understanding of course content…

Trends in higher education performance assessment are examined, and implications for college planners are considered. Issues discussed include the origins of the trends, areas of assessment focus (student measures, interinstitutional comparison, accountability), and general considerations in approaching assessment. Planners are encouraged to take…

Discussion of the need for educational reform in elementary and secondary public schools focuses on a new masters degree program in Educational Change and Technology Innovation developed at Walden University (Minnesota) to help empower educators through distance education courses. Curriculum, courses, and admissions criteria are appended. (LRW)

Introduces this themed issue on teacher assessment and its role in school reform. Discusses factors that should be taken into account in teacher assessment, such as the tension between alternative and traditional teaching methods and awareness of the impact of home on school achievement. (SD)

Presents criteria for making decisions about the use of videotapes in Continuous Quality Improvement training in academic media centers: use of case studies; clear objectives and concepts; race/gender sensitivity; balance of simplicity and complexity; clarity of sound and visibility; graphics quality; content relevance; humor; length; variety in…

Presents a series of studies that show how applicant-reported biodata, together with standard academic criteria, were used to select candidates in one Canadian preservice teacher education program. Analysis of data from 1986-90 indicates that assigning equal weight to academic and personal criteria has several advantages. (SM)

Discusses the use of transaction-cost economics in measuring the impact of educational reforms and whether these reforms are likely to succeed in the "real life" of schools. Several current educational reforms are judged on the basis of their transaction costs and consequent prospects for success. (GR)

This article presents a theory for evaluating information and communication technology design for individuals with disabilities. Simplex 1 evaluates designs in five zones: sensory and input zone; output zone; abstract working memory; long-term memory; and central executive functioning. Simplex 2 evaluates feedback, emotional responses, cognitive…

Examined Montessori middle-school students', parents', and teachers' priorities for success in five areas (achievement, self-discipline, personal integrity, responsible citizenship, and enjoyment of work) and extent to which these were present in the classroom. Found significant differences in perceptions among the three groups in each school type…

Describes a novel approach to comprehensive questions in world history examinations. Recommends using current events as illustrative reference points for complex subjects such as nationalism, liberalism, and international trade. Students receive information packets on the events for several weeks and must relate the subjects to these events. (MJP)