This study investigated the impact of performance assessment on the self-efficacy of undergraduate education majors. The students enrolled in an undergraduate educational psychology course were assessed using two different methods: traditional objective exams and performance assessment through microteaching episodes. Data were collected to examine…

The first part of this report reviews the different types of formal assessment measures that have been used to evaluate the language and literacy performance of second-language learners of English in the United States, including language proficiency tests, reading readiness tests, standardized reading tests, basal reading tests, and statewide…

A study describes the process of two first-grade teachers incorporating the Reading Recovery process of "roaming around the known" in their regular classrooms. Their purpose was to assess what their students knew about print. Data collection for these case studies took place for 16 weeks late in 1992; participants included 49 first-grade…

This paper addresses the measurement of classroom environment and proposes an alternative approach to assessing classroom environment that allows subjects greater spontaneity and provides greater descriptive flexibility. A study asked 31 college professors at Midwestern State University of Wichita Falls, Texas, to generate lists of adjectives…

The importance of systematic assessment of target behavior in the development of an assessment strategy for children is the cornerstone by which many parent-mediated interventions are conducted. To determine current practices of parent/child assessment and evaluation of treatment, directors of 112 community mental health clinics were surveyed.…

This study replicated one conducted in Texas in 1979. Student teachers were asked to list the beautiful things their supervising teachers did for them as well as the things that "bugged" them. Comparison of the results of the 1979 and 1989 studies indicated that the positive factors in the relationships were very similar. Positive…

When standard paper-and-pencil tests are used to measure progress in mathematics, specific assumptions quite apart from those dealing with the statistical validity of the test are often made. These can lead to improper student treatment and often suggest successful teaching which is not warranted. The results of examining 32 fourth through sixth…

This paper is part of a series of studies about the nature of expertise in teaching and the cognitions of effective teachers. A summary offered of psychological research on the nature of expertise indicates that experts often know more, in a more elaborate way, about the subject than novices and organize knowledge in a different fashion. It is…

In response to legislative mandate and pressure from its accrediting agency, Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) began to develop a system to measure the effectiveness of its instructional programs. The system was designed to improve curricula, be managed by faculty, be inexpensive and uncomplicated, and focus on qualitative rather than…

Surveys of 147 special education teachers and observations of 20 practicing teachers and 20 cooperating teachers were used to (1) determine which evaluation procedures are used most often by special education teachers in their evaluation of student progress, and (2) assess the adequacy of those procedures. Survey respondents indicated that they…

Presented is the technical report on development of the Observational Checklists for Referral (OCR), developed to assist teachers of young children in identifying problems that interfere with learning, making appropriate referrals to other professionals, and communicating with parents and professionals. Sections cover summaries of external…

Experiments at three community colleges were conducted to examine the relationships among anxiety, performance, and two different methods of informing students of their instructor's evaluation of in-class speeches. Subjects were 77 students in six speech classes. The three teachers of the classes gave traditional letter grades and comments on the…

Explains how to administer and score a test of early spelling ability, how to assess what the test revealed at the beginning of the school year about 26 first graders' knowledge of the function of letters in written language, and how to use that information in "natural" writing projects. (HOD)

This study examined teacher candidate classroom assessment practices from the perspective of supervising teachers. Using questionnaires, supervising teachers evaluated the student interns' use of various assessment techniques and interns' methods for determining whether they had achieved a direct impact on their students' learning. Participants…

Describes a study to investigate how effectively concept mapping can be used to focus children on their own learning in science and to provide a way of describing their own achievements. Findings indicate that some children were able to identify specific targets for future learning. Motivation and metacognition were the main areas of benefit. (PVD)