Research and analysis conducted to determine the effects of reducing the administration time for one or more levels of the Basic Occupational Literacy Test (BOLT) are described. The total usable sample consisted of 2,423 subjects. Data were collected from 23 states from 1978 to 1981. Data came from a variety of sources, including schools and…

Three aspects of institutional assessment are considered in this paper: the historical development of the postsecondary assessment movement; New Jersey's mandated College Outcomes Evaluation Program (COEP); and the response of the state's community colleges to the program. The first section traces the emergence of concern among national policy…

Unfortunately, much of the research devoted to Logo and problem solving has not supported the claim that Logo provides an environment in which children will develop problem solving skills, but the literature suggests that direct instruction and mediated Logo programming practice can result in the acquisition and transfer of certain problem solving…

The ability to practice a profession is earned through educational preparation, experience, the passing of rigorous examinations, and commitment on the part of the practitioner to public service. Responsibilities are carried out by the professional in accordance with ethical standards developed through the years and in accordance with state laws…

This handbook is divided into two parts. Part 1 focuses on being a teaching assistant and ideas for teaching. Sections of this part cover: (1) university policies applicable to teaching assistants and behavior guidelines; (2) teaching tips; (3) lecturing techniques; (4) discussion and laboratory sections; (5) using questions; (6) demonstrations;…

To supplement previous reliability and validity studies concerning the Noncognitive Questionnaire (NCQ), new NCQ items were written and assessed in relation to the original eight NCQ scales. The NCQ measures eight non-traditional or non-cognitive variables that relate to minority student retention--positive self-concept, realistic self-appraisal,…

This study was conducted to: (1) determine the validity of five Educational Testing Service (ETS) tests as measures of the knowledge and academic skills required for specific endorsements of professional public school personnel in Arkansas; and (2) formulate recommendations on minimum qualifying scores for tests that are valid to use for…

Since 1969 when it was mandated by Congress, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has gathered information about the performance of 9-, 13-, and 17-year-old students in many subject areas, but most frequently in reading. Designed to reflect current developments in reading theory and research, this booklet describes the objectives…

The purpose of this report is to provide a detailed description of the instruments and data used in the Sustaining Effects Study, a large study of the nature, quantity, environment, generality, and sustained effects of compensatory education on basic skills. Each instrument is introduced, the items comprising it are described in detail, and, to…

The 1988 Civics Objectives Assessment is the fourth such assessment since the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) program was initiated in 1969. It outlines the objectives and framework for assessing U.S. civics programs at grades 4, 8, and 12. This outline includes provision for assessment in terms of content, context and…

The document presents the executive summary of the final report of Project STEEL (Special Teacher Education and Evaluation Laboratory), a 3-year study at Indiana University. Project STEEL achieved four major goals: (1) development, implementation, and evaluation of a microcomputer-based observation system for codification, storage, and…

In considering implications for teaching and learning found in research, a number of writers have urged teachers to probe students conceptions before teaching a concept. The purpose of this probing is to allow the teacher to begin instruction from the conceptual position or positions of the students. This approach carries with it the assumption…

A description is provided of the work of the Student Assessment Task Force, which was charged by the Washington State Student Services Commission Executive Board to "provide leadership to the state system on the topic of assessment." Following background information on the charge of the task force and a statement of its objectives and…

Underlying virtually all of the basal reading series available in the United States today is the assumption that learning to read is a skill-by-skill and word-by-word process. This part-to-whole approach to teaching reading is based on principles of behavioral psychology and "scientific management" developed a half century ago and treats…

Drawing on research conclusions about the process of educational change, this report seeks to demonstrate the importance of understanding the diverse factors that inhibit or enable school improvement efforts. The report focuses on leadership and support in achieving successful change and stresses that principals are but one of several players who…