This article discusses the importance of obtaining developmental history in the screening and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders in children. Steps for obtaining developmental history are described and general guidelines are provided. Instruments for collecting developmental history and diagnostic indicators for autism spectrum disorders are…

Considers the competing demands placed on evaluators in relation to the service (characteristics of the intervention), the sample (people participating), and methodology or research design. Explores compromises that may be required between scientific ideals and real-world limitations, and assesses implications for obtaining meaningful results in…

This article examines assessment practices for young children with disabilities and establishes how videotaping can effectively supplement traditional methods. It shows how teachers can use videotaping to involve parents in the process of monitoring the objectives in Individualized Education Programs and to increase parent awareness of their…

Analysis of the first government inspections of Jewish schools in England by the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) shows mismatches between the schools' declared aims for Jewish Studies, and their practices, as well as problems in the teaching of Hebrew. (SLD)

Describes the development of Building Family Foundations, 10 competency-based interactive multimedia modules for preparing social workers for child welfare issues they may encounter in professional practice. Discusses results of pre- and post-tests that evaluated the program in terms of students' content knowledge, self-efficacy, and attitudes…

Asserts that assessment tools created by instructors or counselors can be effective in exploring students' individual needs and providing a foundation for appropriate interventions. Presents a Student Information Sheet, which elicits basic information, and two measures created to explore academic self-concept and students' self-concept related to…

Examined a group of Turkish university English language teachers' perceptions of a teacher appraisal scheme with a developmental purpose, investigating whether there was a discrepancy between what the institution intended to achieve and how teachers perceived the scheme before and after participating in it. Teacher interviews indicated that…

Discusses the elements of instructional design and technical design in module writing. Describes the development of an evaluation instrument to evaluate the modules written by course lecturers from the School of Distance Education at the Universiti Sains Malaysia. Recommends that multimedia and distance-learning strategies be integrated into the…

Describes two methods of introducing computer-assisted assessment (CAA) using Question Mark software. The University of Luton uses CAA for summative assessment; Loughborough University uses CAA mainly for formative assessment. Both have central units to provide support and development for staff wishing to use CAA in instruction. Students at each…

Examines the impact of Internet information resources on the development and adaptation of research strategies based on a study of federal alcohol control policy. Considers how Internet access affects utilization of information services within an organization, and describes measures of utilization and effectiveness for assessing the impact of…

The Minnesota Child Development Inventory-Spanish Version, a parental report assessment, was completed for 1,043 Hispanic migrant worker children (ages 12-71 months). This assessment is widely used for screening and assessment within migrant early intervention programs. Overall, the assessment was a reliable instrument for children in the 24-…

Determines whether modes of instruction and uses of different instruments affect students attitudes, recall, and performance skill for Ghandian music. Stresses that authentic instruments are important in achieving optimum attitude and knowledge outcomes in multicultural music instruction. Identifies the benefits of live instruction as opposed to…

Examines whether analysis techniques of student/teacher interactions widely used throughout the United Sates could be applied to a music instruction setting in Japan by analyzing two videotaped music lessons of different teachers. Finds that teacher A, who used five times more feedback, was rated higher overall by both Japanese and U.S. students.…

Recounts experiences using portfolios as an instrument for professional development during a 1-year pre-service teacher education course for language graduates. (Author/VWL)

Proposes a treatment-validity model for the identification of learning disabilities. The four-phase eligibility-assessment process would include evaluating adaptations in the regular classroom and verifying the effectiveness of special education before placement. Considers the technical requirements of this alternative eligibility process, and the…