Outlines a developmental approach to pedagogy for young children. Basically, a developmental approach takes into account those aspects of learning that change with the learner's age and experience. Development is a primary criterion by which to judge appropriateness. A developmental approach considers knowledge, skills, dispositions, and feelings.…

A survey of nursing program faculty and administrators, program evaluators, and board of review members (n=541) identified desired revisions in accreditation criteria and a process to support nursing education during times of change. Findings have given helpful direction to staff and appointed members involved with the accreditation process. (JOW)

Grading should be used to support learning and encourage student success. Under proposed guidelines, teachers should limit the valued attributes to achievement, sample student performance, grade in pencil, relate grading procedures to intended outcomes, crunch numbers carefully, use absolute grading distribution standards, use quality assessment…

Discusses the influence that individual teachers have on their students' interests, activities, efforts, career directions, goals, and lives. Reports the qualities, characteristics, and traits that make such teachers influential. The most common evidence cited is testimonials. Common characteristics of influential teachers are: interest in…

For the purposes of evaluating extension programs, a list of other outcomes participants may have experienced besides acquiring new knowledge is provided. (SK)

Describes experience of Bates College with optional testing, summarizing results of optional Scholastic Aptitude Tests over five years and presenting snapshot of totally optional testing over one year. Discusses enrollment, predictive, and ethical implications of an optional testing policy. Concludes with some brief speculations on definitions of…

Because few health workers in Latin America are trained in how to produce effective and appropriate health education materials, the Pan American Health Organization developed a method to teach the design, use, and evaluation of health education materials. This article describes the development of the methodology, the basic operating principles,…

The value of assessment activities should be judged by their contribution to what happens, directly or indirectly, between teachers and students. No one assessment can serve all ends. Alternative forms of assessment measure outcomes beyond the purview of traditional measures and are more authentic efforts to represent behavior or accomplishments…

Traces the origins of critical adult education research in positivism, hermeneutics, and historical relativism. Poses questions for assessing such research: (1) does the problem statement refer to social structure inequities and asymmetrical power relationships? (2) does the theory include reflection upon existing inequities and the process of…

Discusses design, technology, human, vendor, and cost factors to be considered in choosing a multimedia instruction system for widespread adoption. A checklist of criteria in these areas is included. (MES)

Begins by discussing what interactive multimedia (IMM) is, why it is used, and how it should be evaluated. A pragmatic approach to evaluation is advocated, and a framework for formative evaluation is proposed, which focuses on formative experimentation. The educational goals of IMM technology and methods of formative experimentation are detailed.…

Many theories of second-language acquisition (SLA) are oppositional, and culling may be necessary. Principled culling requires a rational approach to theory assessment, and the difficulty of identifying universally valid evaluation criteria makes this problematic. Assessment strategies used in other fields can be useful in SLA, but choice among…

To ensure they are evaluated fairly and competently, superintendents must help their school boards plan and implement sound systems of superintendent performance assessment and accountability. The Center for Research on Educational Accountability and Teacher Evaluation (CREATE) applied 21 personnel evaluation standards to existing evaluation…

Annual summative evaluation rarely brings about professional growth or change; ongoing formative evaluation that allows for corrections and encourages development of new skills and talents is more effective. Data alone are not enough. Principals' needs must be linked to the resources of people, materials, funds, and enriched staff development…

This learning activity develops algorithms to ensure that the process of selecting materials is well defined and sound. These procedures require the use of many databases to provide the designer with information such as physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of the materials under consideration. A design brief, student quiz, and five…