Tests in each science area were developed around six laboratory tasks. Students had to plan an investigation, collect and organize data, and formulate conclusions based on calculations and graphs. Over 1,000 students from 32 Ohio schools formed the sample for this study. Data are presented by skill and by task. An analysis for gender and school…

Responses of two high school history teachers on three performance assessments of teaching, part of the Stanford University Teacher Assessment Project, were analyzed. Differences that emerged in teacher attitudes and knowledge level illustrate what performance assessment can reveal about pedagogical knowledge and the implications for educational…

Discusses the information on academic library practices provided in student employment manuals. Highlights include the mission statement, expectations of employment, enrollment and eligibility requirements, employment eligibility verification, application form, the hiring process, program policies, release of employment verification information;…

Used 4 waves of data on 347 seventh graders and their parents to examine relation of parental involvement and hostility to academic performance. Parental behavior affected later academic performance, when controlling for earlier performance. Setting and positively reinforcing appropriate behavioral standards increased academic performance, whereas…

Examined the effectiveness of the showcase portfolio process as an instructional strategy to enhance the quality and quantity of students' writing and to motivate them to participate in the writing process. Findings supported claims that portfolios are not only an authentic evaluative procedure, but an equally powerful motivational approach and an…

Describes a survey of knowledge and skills in the health information sciences conducted by the Medical Library Association (MLA) and relates the results to the MLA's educational policy statement. Credentialing for the Academy of Health Information Professionals is described, and ways to acquire medical knowledge and skills are discussed. (Contains…

Design of a rating scale for pharmacy students' evaluation of instruction, differing from others in its incorporation of 10 dimensions of teaching unique to pharmacy education, is described. Two potential uses of the scale are use of the teaching dimensions in numerical scales, and scale use for providing teacher feedback. (Author/MSE)

As an initial screening device for admission to the Independent Study Program at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, a numeric value was developed for 596 first-year students. The value was based on a combination of under graduate grade point average and Medical College Admission Test scores.The predictive value of the technique was…

Examines the following essential skills for a successful electronic performance support systems design: (1) the ability to understand and assess human performance needs; (2) open-mindedness; (3) solid design skills; (4) human-computer interface design skills; (5) team leadership skills; and (6) microcomputer application design skills. (AEF)

Argues that student evaluations of teacher performance are too often based on subjective viewpoints of little value in helping faculty improve instruction. Describes Illinois Valley Community College's development, at the departmental level, of an evaluation instrument that focuses on observable teacher behaviors and is tailored to specific…

Describes results of a pilot program conducted at Wright State University in which students judged instructors on their use of computer-aided classroom presentations. A table presents student reaction to computer-aided presentations, and the article discusses detailed comments students made about screen design, use of multimedia, instructor…

Presents a narrative account of an activity designed to extend the understanding of both science curriculum and alternative assessment for prospective science teachers enrolled in an advanced undergraduate course. The activity models instructional practice in a methods class. (LZ)

This article provides a framework for the rest of the articles in this special issue comparing the utility of three standard-setting methods with complex performance assessments. The context of the standard setting study is described, and the methods are outlined. (SLD)

A procedure that allows college faculty to obtain rapid student assessment of lecturing performance is described. A computer program facilitates application of the resulting data for self-evaluation, job applications, promotions, and group discussion. The questionnaire's simplicity and ease of processing have been well received by faculty and…

Describes a study that employed a focus sample, cross-sectional design to explore the types of preschool experience available (preschool activities equating broadly to curriculum approaches) and whether variation in preschool experience affects core curriculum (English, science, mathematics) performance and classroom behaviors throughout primary…