Problems in making inferences from a sample to a population and from one cohort to other cohorts are discussed. It is concluded that in most cases a longitudinal design using repeated measures is preferable to an independent samples design. (Author)

Reviews the empirical literature on the stability of sociometric categories and discusses four conceptual issues related to the stability of sociometric status. (JPB)

Provides information about professional counselors' use of the mental status examination (MSE) in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Includes an overview of the MSE format and explanation of terminology, counseling skills used for the MSE, considerations in using the MSE across cultures and age groups, and guidelines for writing an MSE…

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funds schools located on 63 reservations in 23 states across the nation. Of the 183 schools, 59 are Bureau operated and 124 are tribally controlled. One-hundred and sixteen schools provide instructional programs, 55 provide instructional as well as boarding services and 12 peripheral dormitories provide only…

This chapter discusses the Association of American Colleges and Universities' (AAC&U's) Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education (VALUE) project, which aims to demonstrate that faculty across the country share fundamental expectations about student learning on all of the essential learning outcomes deemed critical for student…

Three measures of desegregation are examined in this article. The first measure examined, the dissimilarity index, is based on the absolute deviation of the racial composition of a school from that of the school district. The second measure is referred to as the segregation index and is based on the squared deviation. The third measure…

Reading instruction aims at developing meaning and understanding; achievement of its goals depends on the continuous, consistent, and systematic evaluation of all aspects of a reading program. Since isolated skills have little value unless related to some pattern with built-in, designated levels of achievement, reading should be taught as a…

Argues that educational researchers analyzing multilevel data must identify appropriate sets of research questions at and within various levels of analysis and must specify appropriate models for analyzing the data. Covers problems, terminology, and measurement and statistical issues associated with multilevel research. (PGD)

Like any component in a system, the use of criterion-referenced tests is a function of a larger context, of the contingencies in the system to which it belongs. Accordingly, the usefulness of criterion-referenced tests is determined by the consequences of the feedback from such tests. (Author)

Primary purpose of evaluation is to cause educators to look at the process and the product of education and to utilize evaluation data as a corrective tool. (Authors)