Protocol analysis techniques, in which subjects are taught to think aloud, can provide information on the mental operations used by gifted learners. Concerns over the use of such data are described and new directions for the technique are proposed. (CL)

Current approaches to assessment of what to teach and how to teach, and their limitations, are discussed. Suggestions are made for modifying current approaches in favor of a post hoc procedure that uses frequent student evaluation to provide the database from which decisions regarding modifications of teaching strategies may be made. (Author/CL)

Components of a checklist for evaluating books for gifted children include critical and developmental skills (vocabulary, critical reading skills, story content); creativity (opportunity for imagination, potential for creative follow-up); comprehension; and application (role models, interest, and relevance). (CL)

Holistic scoring of essays, a writing assessment method in which trained raters make a single overall judgement of the quality of a piece of writing, has acceptable reliability, face validity, and speed of administration. (Author/CL)

This guide gives middle school teachers and principals the tools they need to get answers to their questions about program evaluation. It shows how to use the information to work more effectively and efficiently and explains how to use program evaluation techniques to make sure that the approaches selected really solve the problems of interest.…

This report provides guidance on conducting tenure evaluations that are thoughtful and just. Practical suggestions for the tenure evaluation process fall into four themes. The first is that of the need for clarity in standards and procedures for evaluation. Institutions should ensure that their stated criteria for tenure match the criteria that,…

Based on a decade of evaluation experience, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) has developed the Integrated Evaluation Methods (IEM) Package, a series of conceptual and methodological applications to enhance CSAT-funded evaluation activities. Products in the IEM Package are organized within an evaluation framework constructed on the…

This book explains the importance of teaching science to children and presents a theoretical framework on how to teach it. Science education is analyzed from two perspectives, teaching and learning. Contents include: (1) "Teaching Science 5-12: Why and How"; (2) "The Goals of Science Education"; (3) "Children Learning"; (4) "Children's Ideas"; (5)…

This book is an essential tool for facilitators of groups using protocols, or structured conversations, to collaboratively review student and teacher work. A follow-up to "Looking Together at Student Work" and "Assessing Student Learning," this resource considers the purposes for engaging in collaborative review and provides…

The article presents a checklist for determining the extent of integration of severely handicapped students into regular school environments. The 14 item list is explained to be useful in identifying environments (such as the cafeteria, assembly programs, recess, and school hallways) in which integration of severely handicapped students should be…

Presented is a plan used to pay teachers for extracurricular duties based on a point system. The plan is teacher-developed and helps ensure fairness in evaluating extracurricular compensation. Included is a description of the point system. (MD)

The article discusses the evaluation of classroom materials for gifted children, and a one-page measure, "The Guide for Evaluating Instructional Materials for Gifted Children"' is given. (SW)

Measures of teacher concerns such as the Concerns-Based Adoption Model, a conceptualization of the way concerns of individual teachers change as they become familiar with and involved in new programs, can be helpful in inservice training for teachers of gifted students. Implications for inservice include the conclusion that change is a personal…

A discussion and demonstration of social comparison as a means of assessing programs for mentally retarded children is presented. The position is taken that the social validation method of norm peer comparison might be helpful in determining whether certain handicapped children should be moved to a less restrictive environment. (Author)

The involvement of parents in the assessment of their handicapped children should be guided by eleven questions touching on such aspects as reason for referral, purpose of the assessment, composition of the multidisciplinary team, and nature of the assessment report. (CL)