Offers seven criteria for developing mathematical thinking, plus suggestions for teaching and assessing students' progress that are compatible with each learning criterion. Provides evaluation sheets that help the teacher assess and grade students on the criteria. (10 references) (MDH)

In a University of Texas-Austin case in which four white applicants to the law school were rejected, a federal judge has upheld the college's right to consider race and ethnicity as admissions factors, but also outlined strict limits on use of affirmative action in assessing applicants, which could pose legal problems for some colleges. (MSE)

Discussion of the growth of electronic texts in the humanities focuses on issues that libraries should consider regarding collection development policies for electronic texts. Existing texts and applications are described; markup, or encoding schemes, are explained; cataloging is discussed; and software issues are considered. (Contains 27…

Suggests that teachers can combine the use of portfolios and tests to evaluate student performance without having to choose between one approach or the other. Discusses techniques to make portfolios and tests more indicative of student performance and achievement. (MDM)

Diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorders relies on the detection of deficits in social, play, and communication skills relative to the child's mental age. A case example illustrates the multidisciplinary process of making the diagnosis in very young children. Psychiatric evaluation criteria are examined, and a developmental framework for…

Discussion of changes in the criteria by which faculty preparedness is evaluated focuses on a study of six graduate programs of library education in Pakistan that evaluated faculty based on academic qualifications, professional experience, and research and publication credentials. Shortcomings are discussed, and remedial measures are suggested,…

A framework for examining the effectiveness of different types of educational computing environments addresses the conceptual characteristics of the knowledge domain being learned and the learner's stage of knowledge. Characteristics of certain technology-based learning environments (computer-based drill, intelligent tutoring systems, hypertext)…

Study examined the effects of three grading systems on college physical education students' outcome measures in table tennis using skill tests, written tests, game play variables, class attendance, student behaviors, and attitudes toward the systems. Positive effects of the three grading systems were demonstrated on most process and outcome…

Compares methods of providing digital video in computer-based training. A tabulation of performance, quality, and cost is provided, and techniques of compression and decompression are described together with hardware and/or software needs. Networking digital video, and the impact of emerging standards on the development of future products are also…

Reports some of the results of an endeavor by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to evaluate the science teacher preparation programs of institutions seeking accreditation with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1988. Discusses the potential for the future of NSTA participation in NCATE. (LZ)

The development of institutional performance indicators in higher education is viewed as part of a broader approach to management information and decision making. The experience of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems in developing useful information from raw data, selecting appropriate performance indicators, and applying…

Examination of the history of use of performance indicators in three European national higher education systems (Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom) suggests that their role at the national level is declining at the same time that institutions are moving toward more broad-based quality assessment strategies. (Author/MSE)

A federal court decision in which the University of Texas was supported in preferential admissions treatment of minority law school applicants is criticized as perpetuating racial discrimination by a state institution. The suit was brought by four white applicants who would likely have been admitted if they were of a preferred racial group but…

This response to a previous article comparing guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice in the fields of early childhood education and early intervention/special education stresses the importance of individualizing application of principles and the need to look beyond effectiveness and efficiency as dimensions for evaluating practice.…

The current practice of assigning and assessing college faculty workloads is analyzed briefly, and issues involved in developing a new process consistent with a broadened definition of faculty work are discussed. The professional portfolio is suggested as a structure for assigning and assessing faculty responsibilities in a collaborative and…