Research findings on school effectiveness are discussed in relation to an evaluation model that can be administered at the school and community level, comprising three kinds of data: (1) background factors, such as student social origin and level of attainment; (2) outcome factors; and (3) school process and climate factors. (SLD)

Peer coaching as an approach to faculty development is introduced. A 1.5-year formative assessment of one family physician's teaching practices and beliefs describes the process as a mechanism for improving clinical teaching skills. (SLD)

Describes a teaching assistant (TA) training program to improve quality of a college physics course. Presents the goals and structures of the physics course and the TA training program. Describes the formative evaluation procedure and its role in developing the training model. Concludes that students in the physics class valued the recitation and…

The design and reliability testing of two instruments--the Macro Argumentation Structure (MARS) and the Coalition forming and Dominance (CODOM)--to assess the deliberation process (argumentation and interaction) during curriculum conferences/decision making are reported. The study was conducted at the Department of Education of the University of…

A university birth control education program was created to improve student knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Students attended a birth control class before visiting the health clinic for prescriptions. Pre- and posttest questionnaires and clinician assessments indicated knowledge of birth control improved significantly, and students became…

Discusses the impact of CD-ROM services on reference departments and describes the development of a troubleshooting manual for the Library of Science and Medicine at Rutgers University. The seven steps followed in writing the manual are presented, and it is noted that it has proved to be an effective support for reference and CD-ROM services. (21…

Reports the results of two formative research studies conducted during the design process for a new, portable trackball-like computer input device for small children. The findings are discussed in terms of the design of appropriate interfaces for young children, and what can be learned from formative research on products in development. (25…

Describes the CALM (Computer Aided Learning in Mathematics) Project developed at the Heriot-Watt University (Scotland) for teaching calculus; reports on the next phase of CALM following further funding from British industry; and discusses future possibilities through the work of the United Kingdom Mathematics Courseware Consortium. (Contains eight…

Presents lessons for family-school-community cooperation drawn from the work of schools in the League of Schools Reaching Out and from policy analyses by the Institute for Responsive Education. The most important policies are those that provide flexibility and respect diversity while evaluating and changing as they operate. (SLD)

Describes the efforts of the General Education Working Group, formed in fall 1992 to set forth the purpose and goals for general education at Portland State University and develop a curricular model designed to achieve those goals. Provides detailed results of the assessment and of the proposed general education program. (34 references) (MAB)

Assessment is discussed as a key part of instruction. Several evaluation approaches are described, such as process approach to writing instruction, talking about writing, writing about what has been written including progress logs and self-reflective essays, and portfolio evaluation. (15 references) (LB)

Hypertextual ways to think about evaluation are explored, and hypertext computer programs are discussed. Hypertext is useful as a way to search out and link related material. It can help maintain, manipulate, and analyze nonnumerical evaluation data. (SLD)

Presents a case study designed to help intermediate and advanced students or trainees to adapt traditional instructional design procedures to "real-world" training situations. Scenarios involving a video production company and interactive video are described; and learning outcomes are discussed, including conducting a needs assessment,…

An approach for involving beneficiaries in specifying program attributes for evaluators to address is discussed. Methods are outlined for sharing influence among program decision makers and beneficiaries. Application of this approach in the evaluation of a problem-based medical school curriculum is described, with evidence on the enhancement of…

Classroom research addresses the why and how of learning, encouraging teachers to use their classrooms as laboratories for the study of learning. At its best it involves students as collaborators rather than as subjects. Classroom research has the potential for creating teaching and learning communities with the shared goal of understanding…