Describes a study of novice and advanced preservice teachers that explored the effect of a computer simulation on decision-making training for planning lessons. Treatments of the experimental and control groups are described, results of pretests and posttests are analyzed, and further research is suggested. (14 references) (LRW)

Discusses the acquisition of library materials in electronic formats, particularly CD-ROMs and machine-readable data files (MRDFs) in academic libraries, and considers possible problems that can result related to collection development policies. Cooperation in the selection process between subject collectors and technical experts is suggested.…

Discussion of performance indicators, used for evaluation and funding of higher education institutions by some governments, looks at what is meant by the term and their role in government-institutional relations. A series of propositions for their definition and use are offered, with supporting information drawn from the experiences of different…

After reviewing varous methods to evaluate college student learning, it is proposed that U.S. faculty at neighboring colleges could collaborate to construct tests, much like the external examinations used in the United Kingdom, to assess student learning and the quality of education more consistently. In the long term, this method would also…

Discusses the use of children's literature within the social studies curriculum to teach about other cultures. Includes fiction set in another place, works set in both another place and time, and informational or factual accounts of other countries. Urges use of multiple books on the same culture and foreign books to capitalize on children's…

Describes recent efforts of the Center for Research in Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing (CRESST) to evaluate authentic assessment methods, such as portfolios and performance tests. When comparing the merits of authentic versus multiple-choice testing, it is wise to consider validity, reliability, consequences, fairness, generalization,…

Grade-retention policies of 100 California school districts were rated according to the amount of effort required to implement retention policies and the extent to which objective criteria govern retention decisions. Results support use of this framework for comparing retention policies and rates when district size is taken into account. (SLD)

Examines the adaptation of a set of library performance measures derived from a UNESCO manual to Swedish libraries. The basic principles of the measurement process and general library objectives are identified, and the difficulties encountered during the study are explained. The Swedish results are compared to the ideal measures presented in the…

Discusses teacher-librarianship education in Australia. Topics discussed include courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and master's degree levels; student admissions criteria; field experience; course development and evaluation; course content, including instructional design and information management; professional development; professional…

Based on the presumed criteria by which Australian secondary school teachers would select computer software for their students' use, an adventure game concerning Australian gold rushes was developed. It and other games were tested by students in and outside the classroom. Criteria for selecting appropriate software for student use were identified.…

A study examined the processes used by 322 college-bound students, in the course of a year, to choose a college. Sources of information, decision-making activities, and college selection criteria were considered. Results indicate shifts in information sources and decision-making activities, differences in higher ability students, and gender…

Describes the Stanford University Teacher Assessment Project (TAP), noting researchers gained insight into the dynamics of teacher assessment and concomitant scoring, the nature of professionalism, and the activity of qualitative research. The article focuses on TAP's 100 Statement Project. (SM)

The definitions and descriptions of "quality" in higher education, stated in universities' official publications, were compared to the institutions' stated organizational goals, using Amitai Etzioni's theoretical framework for examining modern organizations. Conclusions indicate four factors define quality education: faculty, research, students,…

Describes the Academic Program Assessment Model adopted by Bethany College in 1990. The multidimensional model has provisions for curricular and cocurricular review, testing, surveys, faculty development, and curriculum monitoring strategies. (DMM)

Noting that there are no de facto standards by which to measure and evaluate U.S. depository library collections, this article reviews developments in the evaluation of public libraries and recommends output measures based on public library practice for depository collections. Specific measures for the depository community are also suggested. (31…