Although researchers in higher education propose alternatives to traditional approaches to assessment, traditional methods are commonly used in college or university science courses. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and validity of Prospective Science Teachers' (PSTs) concept maps as authentic assessment tools in a…

This compendium, a deliverable for "Assessments for Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning with Preschool/Elementary-School Children," focuses on tools to assess the social and emotional learning (SEL) of preschool and elementary school students (i.e., five- to ten-year-olds), along with aspects of the contexts in which they learn and…

The impact of various definitions of the term "policy" on the nature and outcomes of policy analysis is illustrated by noting a variety of definitions which are implied in the literature. These definitions are applied to exemplar policy arenas to note their differential effect. The policy arenas discussed include the community…

This paper reports a procedure designed to enable a school district to measure the adequacy of its educational facilities. Reasonable adherence to the guidelines described regarding scale development and implementation should provide a useful comparative tool with broad applicability. The report includes a general description of the procedure…

This manual presents the very basics of monitoring, evaluation, and evaluative research as applied to population education. It is designed for beginners and is useful to project staff charged with the responsibility of monitoring, evaluation, and research. Chapter 1 discusses monitoring and evaluation. Chapter 2 examines evaluative research…

This paper presents a plan of action for managing evaluation implementation and ensuring the ongoing utilization of evaluation results. It addresses strategies that are required to manage the problems encountered in a 10-step management plan. Focus is on introducing an evaluation monitoring system within organizations. Steps in the plan include:…

A social organizational theory is outlined, and how types of data drawn from it may be useful in an evaluation context is indicated. Anthropological ethnography is proposed as a more powerful tool in those evaluations undertaken from a phenomenological perspective. Naturalistic/qualitative evaluation lacks a theoretical perspective on how groups…

Procedures are proposed for increasing the accuracy of generalization assessment in applied behavior analysis with behavior problem populations by accounting for the degree of natural covariation between treated and untreated behaviors. (Author/DB)

The paper offers examples of measurement procedures and experimental designs that can be employed to assess the delivery and effects of program components in a comprehensive service delivery system for young autistic children. The "Learning Experiences...An Alternative Program for Preschoolers and Parents" program at the University of…

The paper maintains that impact evaluation studies of programs serving handicapped infants and preschoolers should be restricted to scientifically defendable investigations. Specific types of impact studies and an evaluation process are suggested. It is suggested that program leaders should focus evaluation activities on the status of project…

Study evaluates the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) of 15 neonates born at-risk for neurological sequelae and 15 healthy controls. CNS information was generated through the use of two measures: (1) the Neurological and Adaptive Capacity Score (NACS) and the auditory brainstem response (ABR). (Author/RWB)

The derivation of a general retrieval effectiveness measure is investigated. Inconsistencies in the definition of relative importance are resolved, and it is shown that the influence of the assigned weight on the effectiveness measure can produce counterintuitive results. An alternative effectiveness measure provided by the Marczewski-Steinhaus…

Discusses the use of the chi-square statistic in educational evaluation based on the assumption that the availability of calculators and computers does not absolve educators from the responsibility of understanding this statistically evaluative technique. Illustrates applicability to an action research study in a middle school setting. (NEC)

The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) is uniquely poised to assist an institution of higher education in conducting an effective, efficient, and meaningful self-study for reaccreditation. Drawing on the experiences of William Paterson University, New Jersey, this paper describes the steps an OIR can take to help ensure that the self-study…

This study assessed the validity of idiosyncratic choice-making behaviors of three children with multiple disabilities. Children were given either their "choice" of food or drink or were given the opposite. Direct observations of children's acceptance or refusal revealed the children consistently indicated choices during both conditions.…