Procedures that could be used to assess progress in instructional programs designed to enhance cognitive skills are reviewed, discussing measures of the following parameters: (1) knowledge acquisition, organization, and structure; (2) problem representation; (3) mental models; (4) metacognitive skills; (5) automaticity of performance; and (6)…

Unlike traditional objective testing methods, alternative assessments encourage student involvement in real-life problems and challenges. The teacher's role is to help students determine and identify assessment tasks and criteria, participate in ongoing assessment of work in progress, and propose alternative ways to meet criteria. This article…

Two eighth-grade teachers at a Georgia middle school recently redesigned their curriculum to emphasize problem-centered, hands-on learning projects focusing on issues relevant to students. To demonstrate what was learned, students and teachers employed various student projects assessed by using rubrics that define a wide range of acceptable and…

Using authentic assessment means making assessment practices match instructional practices. Biological Sciences Curriculum Study divides assessment into three categories: informal, formative, and summative. Specific strategies are provided for using each assessment type. Teachers are assessing authentically when evaluation becomes an ongoing…

Three variations of a least squares regression model are presented that are suitable for determining and correcting for rating error in designs in which examinees are evaluated by a subset of possible raters. Models are applied to ratings from 4 administrations of a medical certification examination in which 40 raters and approximately 115…

Factors that may affect success in high school or introductory college physics typically include cognitive structure such as formation of problem-solving schemata, visual-spatial abilities, induced cognitive structures of sex roles, and such external factors as teaching style and curriculum. All are important in passing a physics course as…

Investigates the assumption that girls will benefit from performance-based or hands-on science classrooms, by examining changes in students' attitudes toward science over the school year. Contains 46 references. (DDR)

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) and the Cognitive Test for the Blind were used to compare verbal and nonverbal abstraction ability of adults who became blind before age 2 or after age 5 (when expressive language would have been developed). No significant differences were found, but variability of scores on the WAIS-R…

Determines the effects of the development and implementation of an interactive multimedia computer program on the achievement and attitude of sixth-grade saxophonists by comparing the achievement of experimental and control groups. Suggests that proper development and application of educational multimedia computer programs may benefit instrumental…

Investigated the effects of group ability composition on group processes and outcomes in science performance assessments. Findings from 21 eighth-grade science classes (445 students) show that group ability composition has a great impact on performance and that heterogeneous groups provide more of a benefit for below-average students than a…

A high school geometry teacher studied the alternative assessment literature, developed and tried alternative assessments such as portfolios in the classroom, evaluated students' and parents' satisfaction levels with these methods, and got feedback from those involved. While students initially had mixed reactions, over 90% of parents supported…

Describes the CTP (Cooperation, Technology, and Performance) model and explains how it is used by the Department of Veterans Affairs-Veteran's Benefit Administration (VBA) for training. Discusses task analysis; computer-based training; cooperative-based learning environments; technology-based learning; performance-assessment methods; courseware…

Analyzes whether giving up studies in higher education is considered a pivotal point wherein an educational career may change course. Reveals that in Finland the status-oriented inheritors of the societal elite do best on the higher education internal and external transfer market. Raises questions about equality between educational units. (CMK)

Examines the validity of the faculty evaluation instrument used at Tulsa Community College (Oklahoma). Compares student evaluations of adjunct instructors and full-time faculty members. Finds that (1) a single dimension construct existed; (2) item-level comparisons yielded no meaningful differences between evaluations of teachers; and (3) overall…

While conventional wisdom holds that higher education can learn much from business, the corporate world can also learn about leadership from the academy, including the practices of separation of power between the board chair and chief executive; collegial and less hierarchical organizational culture; performance reviews, common among academic…