Factors involved in deciding about commercial software for classroom use include the instructional, content, and technical characteristics of the software package. The importance of previewing software and the use of software with students as a part of the evaluation process are also to be discussed. (Author/CL)

The author describes the tests he uses in evaluating students for learning disabilities, his reasons for using them, and results and interpretations based on those tests. (CL)

Guiding principles of precision teaching are reviewed, the use of the Standard 'celeration chart illustrated, and implementation aspects involved in pinpointing, counting, charting, and evaluating are described. The article concludes with a brief summary of effectiveness research. (CL)

Provides librarians and others with summary of types of methods available to determine extent to which books, journals, and other library materials are being used, highlighting circulation studies, survey of user opinions, document delivery tests, shelf availability studies, in-house use studies, and citation studies. Forty-four selected…

Twenty-four criteria are listed for evaluating curriculum for severely and profoundly retarded students. Criteria cover such aspects as verification, philosophy, functional nature, developmental orientation, age appropriateness, sequencing, long- and short-term goals, and domain specificity. (CL)

The article reviews work conducted on the assessment and training of social skills in learning disabled individuals, outlining cognitive social skills and overt social behaviors that should be included in interventions, and discussing assessment techniques (such as behavioral observation codes and sociometric techniques). (CL)

Guidelines for use in formative evaluation of gifted and talented programs focus on objectives, obstacles (such as using standardized tests to evaluate gifted programs), and models. Steps are listed for initiating, carrying out, and completing formative evaluation. (CL)

Confusion is cited regarding the meaning and nature of central auditory dysfunction, and types of tests composing a central auditory test battery are described. Tests focus on auditory closure, auditory figure-ground, and dichotic listening. (CL)

Assessment instruments should be selected on the basis of test design variables (such as date of development and content sequence), test construction variables (including standardization results), examinee-related variables (such as prerequisite skills and vocabulary level), examiner-related variables (including preparation and skills), and…

The use of structural equation modelling in curriculum evaluation is discussed in two stages: first, a process model for curriculum evaluation from instructional theory is derived; second, the structural equation model derived from the process analysis and its applications to curriculum evaluation are described. (BW)

This paper presents a case for the use of causal models derived from a substantive knowledge base of theory and research in the evaluation of educational programs. An evaluation of the Adaptive Learning Environments Model (ALEM) illustrates the causal-modeling approach to program evaluation. (BW)

This booklet focuses on assessing the performance of individual trustees, a responsibility that often falls to the committee on trustees (called the nominating committee on some campuses). It includes a checklist, sample job description, and self-assessment survey that can be tailored to reflect unique institutional characteristics. Every board…

This book shows educators how to put technology to use in their classrooms as a tool for student reflection and assessment, demonstrating how teachers can help students create electronic portfolios that illustrate their command of subject matter. The book is arranged in a progression by plugging in portfolio example projects in each chapter.…

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…

The material in this Technical Assistance Packet is intended to help mentoring programs monitor individual matches and develop a larger picture that provides a composite view of the strengths and shortcomings of all their matches. The packet contains the Youth Survey, a tool to monitor the quality of individual mentoring relationships, determine…