A method is described for measuring differences in grading that is free from the effects of individual student abilities and teaching quality. The analysis locates teachers on a continuum scale from "hard" to "easy" and enables the identification of possible extremes in grading that might manifest themselves in unfair treatment of students. (JMD)

The theoretical perspective and naturalistic methods of ecological psychology developed by Roger Barker are described. Ecological assessment implies examining (1) naturally occurring behavior; (2) environment immediately surrounding behavior; and (3) the individual-environment link. The specimen record, chronolog, and behavior-setting survey are…

This article describes a study in Pennsylvania which examined three political attitudes of public school teachers: alienation, political cynicism, and commitment to democratic values. Data analysis shows that teachers hold political beliefs supportive of the established political order. (Author/AV)

Examines the educational consequences of government efforts to restructure the ethnic stratification system in West Malaysia. (Author)

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a national census-like survey of the knowledge, skills, understanding, and attitudes of certain groups of young Americans. Evaluates the NAEP's contribution to educational progress and its areas in need of improvement. (Author/RK) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this…

Describes a collaborative model as operationalized in a teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages teacher training course across two stages of course implementation, i.e., the piloted and the revised course. Presents qualitative and quantitative data analyses of student reactions through both stages of course implementation and identifies…

Demonstrates how recent methodological developments in the analysis of individual growth can inform important problems in education policy, focusing on growth mixture modeling and applying growth mixture modeling to data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten class of 1998-99 to investigate the effects of full- and part-day…

Describes an activity which allows students with a range of abilities to become involved in data analysis and informal inference while working in self-selected small group environments. Enables students to explore their own resources for asking questions. (DDR)

Describes an activity in which students use data analysis and mathematical modeling to obtain insight into a geometrical question. Explores a simple case of the isoperimetric inequalities. (KHR)

Calls for simplicity when presenting data on student achievement. Data should help teachers improve teaching and learning, and focus on specific goals such as determining how many students are succeeding in a subject and, within that subject, what are the areas of strength or weakness. (Contains 22 references.) (WFA)

Demonstrated in this article are some of the capabilities of a spreadsheet program using data obtained in gas law experiments and a computer interface system. The ability to organize and analyze data which a computer can provide for the student is emphasized. (KR)

Illustrates the use of factor analysis in interpreting large sets of data. Describes how factor analysis of a 19-question survey revealed faculty opinions about library policies for (1) computerized access; (2) circulation; (3) specialized collections/services; and (4) the general collection. A characterization of each category is followed by…

Four activities are described which focus on consumer awareness and judgment using data collection and judgment skills involving data from footwear. Worksheets for data collection and activities at home and at school are included. A set of ratings of sneakers from "Consumer Reports" magazine is provided. (CW)

Presents a theoretical discussion of evaluation research and the need for gathering data to support the decision-making process concerned with training program performance. Guidelines for conducting evaluation research are discussed, the participants involved with successful implementation are described, and data gathering methods are explained.…

Identifies and discusses characteristics of effective in-house studies in public libraries. Characteristics discussed include clearly stated research questions, translation into measurable terms, study design, staff training, data analysis, and targeted reporting. It is argued that studies done within existing management and communication…