Discusses the futility of the "paradigm war" between reductionistic/positivistic and phenomenological/naturalistic philosophies within counseling evaluation. Traces attempts at creating a "truce" based on a strict demarcation of territory. Concludes that more could be gained by accepting both philosophies and by creating a…

From his work with brain-damaged patients, Howard Gardner developed a set of criteria for what determines intelligence. From these he identified seven intelligences, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal capabilities. An eighth intelligence, the naturalistic ability to…

Discusses nine factors to supplement traditional teacher-selection criteria such as grade point average, coursework, and references. Principals should seek candidates prepared by field-based programs, consider elementary and middle school candidates, appreciate the benefits of age and maturity, recognize differing teacher predispositions, work to…

Far too often, school boards and superintendent candidates are constrained by flaws in traditional search strategies. The best matches occur when school boards proactively recruit a targeted group of "best-fit" candidates, assure applicant confidentiality, ban inappropriate community and staff participation, outlaw candidate pools limited by…

Examines the complexities of assessing the professional and personal development of counselors-in-training. Discusses a set of issues the profession must address in an effort to reduce inconsistencies and uncertainties related to student assessment, and provides questions, recommendations, and future directions for assessing student competencies…

Analyzes the challenges to using academic measures (MCAT scores and GPAs) as thresholds for medical school admissions and, for applicants exceeding the threshold, using personal qualities for admission decisions; reviews the literature on using the medical school interview and other admission data to assess personal qualities of applicants;…

Proposes a model for assessing distance learning instruction based on six constructs: the process of teaching and learning, developing a community of learners, the instructor, the student, implementation of the course, and technology use. Examines each construct by reviewing research in the field and makes recommendations for their design and…

Discusses issues related to libraries filtering Internet searches. Topics include the American Library Association (ALA) stand against any form of Internet censorship, the increasing use of GUIs (graphical user interfaces), First Amendment rights, intellectual freedom, and deciding on the criteria for filtering. (LRW)

Presents a new model for attaining diversity goals in medical school admissions and meeting standards related to validity and legality. Analyzes one year's admissions data for applicants to a large Midwestern medical college, and discusses the impact of the selection techniques on both majority and underrepresented minority applicants. (EV)

Interviewed experienced Australian graduate school examiners. Found clear trends with regard to criteria used; critical judgment points in the examination process; perceptions of their own role in the process; and the influence on examiners of previously published work, the views of the other examiners, and the level of perceived responsibility…

Discusses the need for quality assurance in distance education; describes evaluation criteria; and reports how Ivy Tech State College (Indiana) created a peer review process as a formative evaluation tool to assure the quality of its distance education courses. Explains roles of the participants and evaluation of the peer review prototype. (LRW)

Discusses criteria developed by the Expert Panel on Educational Technology for elementary and secondary school educational technology programs and describes how they have been used by Boston Public Schools to integrate technology into the classrooms. Offers suggestions for using the framework and suggests it needs to address the challenges of…

Offers advice on furnishing a technology classroom, asserting that the overriding selection criteria must be quality. This is defined as furniture that functions smoothly and looks attractive with regular maintenance for up to two decades. Addresses eye appeal, versatility versus performance, and durability. A sidebar also discusses ergonomics and…

Discuss whether high scores on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) are associated with high student socioeconomic status, including high family income, particularly in California. Concludes that the SAT is no more a "wealth test" than is every other measure of student achievement such as grades. Describes other factors influencing…

Offers a detailed discussion of the multitude of variables involved in determining the shock absorbancy/forgiveness factor of both natural and synthetic athletic fields. (EV)