This study, conducted at Illinois State University library, evaluated the ability of professional librarians to answer reference questions. Evaluations by undergraduate students were scored for accuracy of response and attitude of the librarian to determine the best attitudinal predictor of accuracy scores. The evaluation form is appended. (three…

Describes the design, development, and evaluation of an electronic mail system, the Instructional Support Network, for use in continuing education correspondence courses at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Computer networks are discussed, hardware and software are described, and problems with the system are considered. (16 references) (LRW)

Argues for new instructional methods that envision teacher explorer classrooms in which teachers and students utilize multimedia tools to construct knowledge. Describes the changing roles of the teacher and student and methods to evaluate the classroom process. Describes a classroom that includes hardware, software, training, motivation, and…

Discusses several methods of educational orientation practices to help in the development of personal and career aims. Suggests that changes are first cognitive and specifically involve professional representations. Examines oral presentations in class, group working sessions, individual discussions with counselors, and television programs…

Two methods for constructing differentiated school norms and computing percentile ranks for school mean achievement accounting for demographic background factors are illustrated. These methods, which account for socioeconomic conditions that are beyond the control of the school, are applied to two large samples of schools (n=1,573 and n=797,…

Several developments growing out of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are reviewed, with a discussion of their extension and application to other projects. These developments include: (1) complex matrix item sampling designs; (2) performance-based items in large-scale assessments; (3) vertical scaling; and (4) innovative…

Three methods of designating everyday-dysfunction cases in the Colorado Social Health Survey are compared for a sample of 4,745 adults. The clinical judgment approach was chosen as the primary method of identification, with the statistical deviation criterion a backup. The patient criterion group approach was less useful. (SLD)

A mail survey about the use of instruments in 9 assessment areas was answered by 389 school psychologists. Comparison with a similar survey 10 years earlier suggests no decline in assessment overall, although emphasis is switching away from intelligence testing, toward achievement testing, behavior rating, and adaptive measurements. (SLD)

This article reviews current research on the long-term outcomes of children exposed to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and multiple drugs in utero. Differential intervention efforts based primarily on knowledge of a child's intrauterine exposure to drugs were unsupported by available evidence. The use of an ecological model for assessment and…

Three urban library systems asked their patrons to read descriptions of seven library roles and to select the role that best described why they were visiting the library. From these patron surveys, each library system was able to develop profiles of the roles that its libraries play in the community. (Contains two references.) (SLW)

Reported stressors and patterns of coping strategies of 484 high school students were studied through their responses on the COPE Inventory and other measures. Results support the measure's internal consistency but suggest significant gender differences and four factors among the subscales. Implications for the instruments' use with adolescents…

TORUS, a prototype technology-based educational diagnostic program, is described. The usefulness of TORUS to identify and remediate the mathematics misconceptions of students with learning disabilities is reported. Results suggest the need for greater emphasis on conceptual understanding in mathematics instruction. (Author/DB)

Evaluation of a graduate course in educational research, within a professional development for teachers, is discussed. The course was modularized and taught in varied contexts and locations and by different instructors overseas, is discussed. Issues arising during the development of a course evaluation instrument are examined, and development of…

This review of performance assessment and special education considers forces influencing assessment changes, performance-based assessment as an alternative to traditional assessment, current use of performance assessment, a critique of performance assessment, the future of performance assessment, and the role of curriculum and teachers. An action…

Identifies and analyzes federal government electronic bulletin boards; assesses the types of information available to users, including costs and technological access issues; discusses federal information policy; and considers the role of federal bulletin boards in accessing and managing electronic government information. (Contains 29 references.)…