The Primary Extension and Challenge Programme was developed to serve 10- to 12-year-old gifted and talented children in the state of Western Australia. This article reviews the program's historical perspective, teacher responsibilities, student identification and selection procedures, course development, teaching strategies, student projects, and…

Describes the results of a survey that examined what kinds of database vendors are improving their retrieval software and the decision processes involved. Respondents included large and small vendors from the public and private sectors. An appendix presents vendors' reasons for and against specific innovations. (12 references) (CLB)

Six articles highlight governmental initiatives to encourage staff development in the United Kingdom. The Grant-Related In-Service Training Scheme (GRIST) is described from the perspectives of sponsoring institutions and local education authorities; course approval criteria established by government are reviewed; and teacher education through…

Describes and evaluates two projects designed to update elementary and middle school mathematics programs: (1) the revision of elementary school's mathematics and computer literacy curriculum; and (2) an inservice program to train middle school teachers how to incorporate computers, calculators, and manipulatives into the classroom. (CLB)

Discussion of problems encountered in educational software development in Japan is the second of a two-part series on evaluation of Japanese microcomputer-based software. Problems associated with content, learner attitude, and graphics presentation are described, and future challenges in simulation and integrating courseware with other teaching…

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has successfully integrated a program for assessing student outcomes in the ongoing institutional processes of peer review, strategic planning, and internal resource allocation. Students are tested in general education and their major fields and participate in curriculum and instructional evaluations.…

Communication with the entire educational team and school community about the benefits to expect if a school library media specialist has the opportunity to fulfill his or her professional responsibility is critical. The school library media specialist can then develop objectives based on school needs and be evaluated on the outcomes. (EM)

Advises the secondary school teacher lacking special training how to use the ACFL Guidelines to test for oral proficiency in the classroom. Sample situation cards and a sample grading sheet are included. (LMO)

A decade of interest in the evaluation of college teaching has produced both a wide variety of approaches and a concise set of practical guidelines for assisting college teachers in improving instruction. (Authors/MSE)

Teacher appraisal, now required in England and Wales and expected in Scotland in due course, should be open rather than secret. It should be done with emphasis on peer support; teachers should play a central part and be given the time to watch each other's lessons. (JHZ)

For Blacks and Hispanics, standardized admission tests and licensing exams are barriers to schools and occupations. Case studies are presented of college admission tests and teacher testing that place women and minorities at a disadvantage. Test biases and misuse must be eliminated and new forms of evaluation must be developed. (VM)

Nigeria will discontinue the use of the school leaving certificate examination and will instead rely on continuous assessment of students which is systematic, comprehensive, cumulative, and guidance-oriented. Eight evaluation criteria are suggested: achievement; personal qualities; interests; attitudes; physical health; and cocurricular, outdoor,…

A study of Israeli university students' attitudes about the value and use of findings from student evaluations of instruction is reported. It examined student opinions of the relevance of certain evaluation criteria and their relationship to student characteristics and expectations. (MSE)

Reports on a study done in Quebec, Canada, to determine the level of agreement or disagreement between principals and teachers using established criteria to measure the effectiveness of a science teacher. Results were used in an attempt to construct a profile of the attributes of an outstanding science teacher. (TW)

Criticisms of graduate study and suggestions for self-evaluation and change that were made 12 years ago by a Council of Graduate Schools Panel Report ("Scholarship for Society") are reviewed. The current status and future of graduate study are examined in that context. (MSE)