Suggestions for faculty who are attempting to improve their advising skills without the benefit of a formal program are offered. Good advisement is always a process composed of timely responses in areas relevant to student education. The scope of advising may encompass the following: describe the intent of the general or liberal arts part of the…

The evaluated project is an approach to the individualization of instruction in reading and mathematics in the junior high school. Among the instructional approaches used were diagnostic/prescriptive teaching, games and simulations, as well as traditional teaching procedures. Project goals included raising student achievement, improving attitudes,…

The Alternative Learning Experiences (ALE) Program at Whatcom Community College was designed to provide opportunities for students to pursue educational goals outside the traditional classroom, specifically through the use of learning contracts, advising services, on-the-job training programs, correspondence courses, and competency-based…

In order to determine the effectiveness of using student performance contracts in social science courses, the author chose two sections of the course entitled "The Individual in Modern Society" and two sections of the course entitled "Social Problems" for a controlled experiment. One section of each course used the contract format, whereby…

Within broad guidelines provided by the Community College of Vermont (CCV), associate degree students write their own individualized, competence-based contracts. Development of the contract includes both assessment of prior learning, and planning for sponsored learning: These are integrated through a "degree development sequence" which includes a…

The author reviews various current approaches to evaluating pupil achievement, evaluating instruction, and using grades, grade point averages, and class rank. Such issues as the philosophical and psychological bases for selection and use of evaluation instruments, the use of performance objectives, ways to reduce subjectivity in grading, the use…

During the 1970-71 school year, the Grand Rapids, Michigan, School District had performance contracts for reading and math instruction with Alpha Learning Systems, Inc. (Alpha), Combined Motivation Education System, Inc. (CMES), and Westinghouse Learning Corporation (WLC). The programs of all three contractors featured contingency management and…

Major demands of accountability as related to performance contracting are outlined, as well as the limitations of standardized tests in meeting these demands. (AG)

The goal of "Education 1972" is to pinpoint key issues shaping the school year ahead so that busy educators may have an authoritative and current report on what's new in education and so that the education profession may have a reliable source book for speech and news writers. Among the 32 different issues discussed in this first publication in…

An approach to assessment is described that allows students to understand and help decide the criteria for good work. It is called "negotiable contracting." Negotiable contracting consists of giving students shared ownership in their own learning. The teacher serves as a facilitator of discussion of the assessment process. Students and the…

Administrators and their teaching staffs share responsibility for meeting federal, state, and district mandates regarding the delivery of educational services. Assessment and action plans, which grow from the partnership between the principal and teacher, are the key to improving student learning and performance. Year-end improvement plans are…

Decision makers in education frequently identify tenure laws as a barrier to improving student achievement. Many principals believe statutes and case law adequately protect employees, and join others calling for modifications in tenure policies. The inadequate number of qualified applicants for principal positions is a national problem that…

Describes a comprehensive program utilizing pull-out programs, enrichment, and individualized mentorship contracts for gifted/talented students, grades 1-12, in Poland School District (Ohio). Participant selection factors include parent nominations, teacher recommendations, achievement test scores, peer identification, and self-evaluation.…

Describes a multifaceted intervention program for high-risk nursing students, indicating that it provides reading guides, active learning techniques, and master tutors. Discusses outcomes from the first year of implementation, highlighting positive results for the master tutors, learning contracts, and reading guides. Reviews future program…

A preservice teacher education course in educational psychology focused on students (n=67) taking greater responsibility for learning through exposure to a variety of learning experiences, including curriculum negotiation, peer discussion and teaching, learning contracts, self/peer/collaborative assessment, and critical reflection. Locus of…