This monograph focuses on the implementation process that has been a concern of school jurisdictions since the teacher evaluation policy became mandatory in Alberta, Canada, in 1985. Research has shown that school systems are adept at developing written policy but much less successful at putting that policy into effective operation. This overview…

To assess the impact of the 1984 Alberta Education teacher evaluation policy, this study investigated the formal teacher evaluation practices of superintendents, other central office staff, and principals in Alberta (Canada) in 1983-84. A three part, mailed questionnaire based on existing instruments collected: (1) demographic data on the…

This paper summarizes current knowledge from research on teacher effectiveness and discusses the relationship between those findings and educational policy. Few teaching strategies have been studied in different types of environments, so validated knowledge on teacher effectiveness exists for only a few issues. Research findings discussed include:…

This paper reports on several generic evaluation methods used by the evaluation office of the Curriculum Research and Development Group of the University of Hawaii (EO-CRDG). Scrivens's (generic) checklist approach was taken one step further by developing generic data collection instruments to be used with any evaluation method: (1) a formative…

An overview is presented of methods of teacher assessment. The most heavily used methods of teacher assessment are standardized paper-and-pencil examinations and on-the-job ratings by supervisors. An alternative to the paper-and-pencil approach is explored, and preliminary evidence is presented in support of this assessment strategy.…

A nationwide interest in master-teacher plans has arisen as a response to the general malaise in education, but the viability of such plans depends on finding answers to certain crucial problems. Some basic issues must be addressed before master teachers can even be identified: whether a heirarchy of teachers should be established, or prior…

This paper examines factors that promote and diminish teacher trust in the instructional supervision process. Trust--key to the supervisor's success in helping teachers change behaviors--is correlated with such factors as confidentiality, approach to dealing with complaints, and the development of collaboration and participation in supervisory…

This report assesses the current state of the art of personnel performance appraisal in education to provide guidelines for new initiatives and developments in the use of personnel evaluation systems in Ontario schools. It is organized in such a way that the major issues related to performance appraisal are presented in the order in which an…

A working paper in the final report of the Arizona Board of Regents' Task Force on Excellence, Efficiency and Competitiveness, this study provides information on the debate about "research versus teaching" in the modern American university and, specifically, in Arizona's three universities. The Arizona universities' alumni survey,…

This report represents the efforts of a commission of 20 citizens who were directed by the Illinois General Assembly to identify the principal problems in Illinois' elementary and secondary schools and to recommend specific actions for improving the State's educational program. The commission concluded that student learning should be the foremost…

The forms of assessment used in preservice teacher assessment were studied through a survey of 166 colleges of education, a review of other national surveys, and a detailed examination of the policies of Alabama. The efforts made by one institution to use alternative methods recommended by the profession are explored. (SLD)

The Educational Testing Service is developing a new series of assessments intended for use by states as part of the process of licensing or certifying teachers. Stage III assessments in this series will evaluate the beginning teacher's application of teaching knowledge and skills. Stage III assessments will be performance-based. Job analysis…

A quasi-experimental, treatment-control group investigation was designed to test the effects of a preservice training course on effective instruction. Research findings from teacher effects research and cognitive strategy instruction were translated into two direct instructional models: one model for explicit or well-structured skills and one…

Progress made by southern states in meeting the need for quality in education is described, and priorities for further actions are identified. In 1981 the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) offered 25 recommendations to move the South beyond minimum levels toward quality education. Major progress was made with regard to the following:…

This study evaluated a new secondary school teacher education program initiated in 1980 at Pennsylvania State University. Major differences between this program and the old program were: (1) an increase of three credit-hours in foundations and methods courses; (2) the addition of five credit-hours of field experiences; (3) an increase of two…