Study of the relationship between attitudes of native speakers and improved nonnative performance in Spanish and the relationship between increased degree of bilingualism and positive evaluations of nonnative speech suggested that language background has some influence on the perception of others' level of fluency. (CB)

Eighty-four hearing-impaired postsecondary students were involved in a study of the criterion validity and reliability of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf rating scales for assessment of contextual speech intelligibility. Results revealed generally high overall validity and reliability coefficients, though write-down procedures were a…

Three articles discuss professional staff development in higher education and suggest future possibilities. A proposed staff appraisal system that includes opportunities for student evaluation is outlined; questions relating to the concept and rationale of teacher appraisal in higher education are examined; and two case studies using innovation…

Evaluates the effectiveness of a sixth grade experimental language arts program designed to teach higher-level thinking skills. Reports on different types of instruments for measuring higher-level thinking skills, including verbal and nonverbal tests of divergent thinking, a nonverbal test of flexible thinking, and a verbal divergent production…

Three articles describe a series of observations and experiments that examined the user context of questions in information retrieval, the structure and classification of questions, cognitive traits and decision-making searchers, and different searches of the same question. (71 references) (Author/CLB)

Compares the results of two survey designs administered to visitors of three South African nature reserves to ascertain changes in conservation awareness. Explains the method, data collection, questionnaire design, statistical tests, pretests, pilot studies, results, and conclusions of the study. Finds that no statistical differences between…

Presents a lesson plan for students in grades seven to nine which examines the working methods of Deborah Butterfield's sculpture and its place in contemporary U.S. art. Includes a photograph of the sculpture, "Derby Horse," and provides background information about the artist, student objectives, instructional strategies, and evaluation…

A British university's experience has shown that, with appropriate software and management methods, most of the practical problems in using student questionnaires to evaluate courses can be overcome. (MSE)

A British institution's efforts to improve assessment in the student teaching portion of its teacher education program to reflect a new approach to teacher training are described, focusing on the implications for supervisors and for the student teacher-supervisor relationship. (MSE)

Discusses the need for student experiments involving the complete characterization of "unknown" inorganic compounds. Describes a project employing a complex metal compound. The compound contains six different components in both inert and labile complexions. Outlines the complete procedure and the preparation of the unknown compound. (TW)

Examined assessment practices in 54 model programs for early education of handicapped children (ages prenatal through six years). Results showed only 19 tests were used by at least five programs; only one device was used by over one-half. Although technical adequacy was reportedly an important factor in selection, analysis revealed only three…

All postsecondary institutions in Tennessee have the opportunity to earn an annual budget supplement for instruction from the state if certain criteria, based on educational outcomes, are obtained. A comprehensive assessment program at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is described. (MLW)

Reviews the Microelectronics Education Programme (MEP) from the director's point of view, including the origins and basic structure of the program which ran for six years. The collaboration of teachers, advisers, and trainers is emphasized, research and evaluation procedures are discussed, and learning processes, computer studies, and distribution…

Writing readiness theories and the evolution of writing styles are reviewed, noting the strengths and weaknesses related to the special needs of dyslexic or learning-disabled students. Also discussed are the Children's Handwriting Evaluation Scale and its counterpart for college students, which provide objective measures of rate and quality of…

Discusses two facets of the disparity between the way children learn and the way they are tested: the necessity of practice and the importance of prior knowledge. (FL)