Describes the collaborative process and the lessons learned when the staff of a family-literacy program and an evaluator worked together to design and implement a portfolio assessment that was used to collect program-evaluation information for the Even Start program over two years. Discusses opportunities to collaborate in the development of this…

This study evaluated the role of music in acquiring foreign language vocabulary using suggestopedia techniques with 40 technically gifted students. The study found that the effectiveness of different types of music depended on student characteristics including gender, musical ability, foreign language learning ability, and feeling states. (DB)

This paper reports selected findings from a study on Maori children with special abilities to illustrate principles of educating gifted children from minority cultures. Seven suggestions for improving educational services to these children are offered; six are specifically teacher related and the seventh addresses the need for research and the…

Provides an example of how literary theory and standards-based classroom practice can promote active reading experiences with the text as well as interactions with other members of the class. (Author/VWL)

Focuses on foreign language planning, or the planned changes in foreign language instructional systems and in uses of languages in different social contexts with special reference to the Nordic and Baltic countries. Special attention is given to the relationship between language planning and evaluation. (Author/VWL)

Ten historically black colleges and universities in a Pew Charitable Trusts program share their campus-wide efforts to increase student retention and progression through a program emphasizing ongoing evaluation. Each institution developed evaluation plans, comprehensive databases for monitoring progress, instruments for assessing factors that…

Explores the assessment and improvement of educational programs and administrative services at metropolitan colleges and universities through the primary academic unit the department. Discusses the development of intended student outcomes and administrative objectives; also identifies issues related to implementing assessment at the department…

Explores sketch maps as an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand tool for assessing library skills, knowledge, and interest among individuals and groups. The underlying principles are found in research done with maps and surveys collected for environmental psychology, urban planning, and human geography. Includes nine figures of map examples and an…

Describes a one-credit, theme-based library instruction course for freshmen and sophomores at Fort Lewis College (Durango, Colorado). Discusses benefits of theme-based instruction; assigned work; skills students should acquire during the course; course assessment and development; and future changes in the course. (AEF)

Reviews and evaluates representative models of performance from multiple disciplines. Presents an integrated taxonomy of performance domains and clarifies performance outcomes and performance metrics. Proposes a research agenda related to performance domains. (AEF)

Highlights impressions of the Centre for Early Childhood Education, the Centre's recent work to interpret the philosophy of the Reggio Emilia approach, and examples of how the centre has transformed its practice within a Canadian context. Relates impressions of their environment, traces several examples in the development of the environment, and…

Asserts that a culturally relevant curriculum that discards stereotypes, celebrates diversity, and is inclusive of all children is both necessary and appropriate in the Head Start classroom. Advises that helping children to appreciate the similarities and differences within their own group and community is the place to begin. (SD)

Examines the role of creative expression in educational practices. Briefly outlines the work of educational leaders, including Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Howard Gardner, and Robert Sternberg, who are proponents of multi-faceted learning and creativity. Considers strategies for educational approaches that involve more creative invention, problem…

Explores reasons for the general lack of acceptance of experiential approaches to education. Compares experiential and mainstream education with regard to foundations, goals, ideas about knowledge and learning, organization of students, classroom communication, teaching methods, resources, setting, and evaluation strategies. Suggests that…

Developed an instrument to evaluate the performance of educational administrators at a Canadian medical school. After 3 yearly evaluations, 20 administrators and 80 evaluators acknowledged broader input into evaluation, but saw little evaluation-related improved performance. (SLD)