The first part of Task 1 of the final report provides a critique of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) objectives. The report represents part of an investigation coordinated by a special Steering Committee working under the auspices of the National Council for the Social Studies. The first section examines whether the objectives…

This report submitted by Advocate Team No. 2 to the U.S. Office of Education, Division of Research and Development Resources (formerly Division of Manpower and Institutions) presents a proposed evaluation system for regional labs and R&D centers consisting of a two-tiered panel organization. The tiers are: (1) A Master Panel--a blue-ribbon…

A basic assumption is that, all things being equal, people who go to school are different than they otherwise would have been. That difference is what schools produce. When we find out how that difference can be measured and evaluated, we can begin to solve the mystery of productivity. (Author/LBH)

Using norm-referenced reading achievement tests as both "criterion referenced" (through repeated administration of the same form at successively higher grade levels) and as norm-referenced (in the usual manner) helps to differentiate individual changes in learning how to read as well as individual differences in gaining information from textual…

The steady growth of state testing programs and its implications for the measurement community are discussed in terms of testing purposes (monitoring, accountability, and curriculum advancement) and test development, administration, and reporting. It is important that the measurement community address crucial issues to maintain its substantial…

Describes procedure for combining Stanford Achievement Test items with local supplementary items to measure individual and aggregate student performance in mathematics. Two reports are generated from the test results: a diagnostic report of student mastery of each objective and an overall score. (TE)

Teaching and testing for critical thinking can be a challenge for new and experienced social work educators because critical thinking has no operational definition. Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives is a tool from the wider context of education that can help new and experienced social work educators to think more precisely about what it…

Teaching and testing for critical thinking can be a challenge for new and experienced social work educators because critical thinking has no operational definition. Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives is a tool from the wider context of education that can help new and experienced social work educators to think more precisely about what it…

Continuing attention to test theory, test development, test interpretation and use, test monitoring and control, test consumer education, and the social and political consequences of testing is suggested as the primary concern of the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME). (CM)

The Koan technique was originated by Zen masters to help students open up to new possibilities and to help the individual realize his/her full potential. The staff developer should be engaged in the same process. Important factors in the evaluation process of staff development are listed. (JN)

The ultimate goal of continuing education programs is to bring about improvement in health education. Evaluations of these programs rarely indicate significant change. Problems with evaluations and with continuing education programs are discussed. (JN)

This article discusses the function and purpose of educational evaluation. The main standpoint is that different evaluation approaches are presented as scientific improvements but mirror mainly the objective functions of education in the society and the need within the state apparatus for a scientific legitimation of various political decisions.…

This article describes the process of assessing needs in schools by analyzing existing conditions, stating desired goals, recognizing discrepancies between the two, analyzing the discrepancies, setting program objectives, and arriving at major solution procedures. (JD)

Suggested are ways to improve the SAT and its face validity. Suggestions include greater emphasis on more-realistic problems, inclusion of realistic percent problems, modification of the multiple-choice format, and the use of the National Council of Mathematics "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards" as a guide to construct the test. (MDH)