Instructional implications of cognitive development theory are discussed, and it is proposed that the current theoretical framework offers a view of development that, applied in instructional contexts, leads to a reconceptualization of the traditional notion of developmental curricula. Piaget's theory offered a framework for how children should be…

This document provides a model for the national assessment of higher order thinking and consists of a preface and four main sections. The preface discusses the problem of lower order learning, summarizes the state of research into critical thinking and instructional reform, and explains the structure of the paper. Section 1 of the paper describes…

Criteria that teachers include in grading and the weight given each were investigated in a sample of 827 elementary school and high school teachers from 18 school districts. A three-section survey was administered to the subjects. Underlying dimensions of grading criteria were studied, and the relationship between including a specific criterion…

A study examined vocational and general education in Great Britain 2 years after a national commission on education issued its recommendations for reforming Britain's system of elementary and secondary education and training. Several concerns were raised regarding the content and application of the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and…

A qualitative method for assessing the cognitive and linguistic development of bilingual children is presented, and its underlying model is discussed. The model views language learning as a concept formation process in three domains: cognitive; cultural; and linguistic. This method has been found useful in accurately differentiating genuine…

Problems inherent in student evaluation of second language teaching methodology, particularly task-based instruction, are discussed and recommendations are made. It is argued that course evaluation by learners is based on their assessment of their own communicative performance, and that they are likely to attribute a general sense of progress, at…

An Oklahoma State Legislature directive formed a committee to study University of Oklahoma (OU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) services and programs and make recommendations for enhancement. The role of Oklahoma's two comprehensive research universities in the future of the state was the Committee's overriding consideration. Much discussion…

This background paper provides a picture of general progress in vocational education assessment instruments and policies. Chapter 1 explains the paper's purposes and presents a summary of its contents. Chapter 2 traces the evolution of federal accountability requirements in vocational education law and explains the intent of the 1990 provisions.…

Intended primarily for professionals teaching early childhood and infant intervention courses, this handbook presents an overview of child care as both a support to families and an economic necessity, meeting changing and dynamic needs. Child care settings and types of care are discussed, along with quality indicators, licensing, and provider…

The two separate evaluation instruments combined here are designed to help companies identify applicants for the positions of director and child care provider who have the greatest probability of being outstanding performers on the job. Each instrument contains three sections. Section 1 is an interest and willingness checklist, which acts as a…

A survey assessed states' initial efforts in the development of performance measures and standards for vocational education. All 50 states and the District of Columbia responded to the survey. Seventy-one percent were planning to develop separate systems of accountability for secondary and postsecondary vocational education. About one-half of all…

When the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) was designed 20 years ago, comparisons among individual states or localities were not deemed desirable. Today, this lack of information to allow comparison is judged to be a serious weakness of the NAEP, and ways to allow comparisons are actively sought. The focus of this paper is to…

Some steps to identify an initial set of indicators and to develop alternative indicator systems are outlined for educational evaluation and illustrated through the example of a National Science Foundation (NSF) study of mathematics and science education. The first step is to conceptualize potential indicators to specify a comprehensive monitoring…

This guide provides members of the National Education Goals Panel (NEGP) with the information they need to select the indicators for the first annual progress report (September, 1991) on the six national education goals. The guide is organized by the following six goal areas: readiness for school (Goal 1); high school completion (Goal 2); student…

Essential elements of teacher preparation programs should become the foundation of instructional leader training. Techniques of Responsive Intervention to Validate Effective Teaching (TRIVET) is an administrative training program that provides instructional leaders with the skills and knowledge to collect data, diagnose instructional…