Many technical, test design, and implementation questions are involved in designing new statewide assessments. These are all critical, shaping often underexamined aspects of testing: student test experience and families' perceptions of testing in this new structure. Although the state outreach to students and families is needed generally, it is…

Why would a school district consider implementing a district-wide, web-based assessment of student achievement of physical education standards? Why should any school or school district assume the expense, both in terms of time and money, of adopting an online assessment tool for physical education to assess students' cognitive and motor skills?…

Promoting the self-determination of adolescents with disabilities has become best practice in secondary education and transition services, but to date there have been no studies establishing a causal relationship between efforts to promote self-determination and enhancement of the self-determination of youth with disabilities. This article reports…

As New England continues to experience dramatic demographic shifts, it becomes increasingly clear that future prosperity will depend on how well all learners are prepared for postsecondary success. Preparing people for success has always been a moving target of sorts. What skills do people need to become civically engaged and economically…

Designed to provide assistance to local districts in planning and evaluating their efforts in providing quality instruction and education, this evaluation guide presents evaluation suggestions for various components of administration and instruction. The guide is divided into four parts: (1) administration, (2) personnel, (3) school and community…

Nebraska has been developing a two-way radio communication system for the Cooperative Extension Service, using the master microwave towers of the statewide emergency communication network. It has increased the efficiency of their limited human and economic resources. (NL)

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY WAS MADE OF THE ERROR FACTORS IN MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALING (MDS) TO REFINE THE USE OF MDS FOR MORE EXPERT MANIPULATION OF SCALES USED IN EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT. THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH WAS TO GENERATE TABLES OF THE SAMPLING DISTRIBUTIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR DISCRIMINATING BETWEEN ERROR AND NONERROR MDS DIMENSIONS. THE…

In order to design an effective long-range program for human beings, a planner must face the realization that: (1) library users are the only valid sources for evaluating services; (2) empathy for those whom the library intends to serve must be the primary concern; and (3) stated criteria for evaluating library service must be in measurable terms.…

World-wide communication, information gathering, and information sharing are possible through the Internet. Nebraska and its educational community are in the process of connecting to this resource. Fifteen Educational Service Unit (ESU) servers, located across the state, provide access to the Internet for almost all public K-12 schools. Currently,…

Data from tests of basic mathematical competencies given in 1950, 1965, and 1975 are discussed. Courses successful in providing a foundation of basic skills are noted. (JT)

This report contains a description and an analysis of the process through which Nebraska State government establishes policy for its public elementary and secondary schools. The report focuses on the role and the impact of the various actors, official and unofficial, who become involved at the State level in setting public school policy. The data…

This series of three brief articles, written by the Nebraska commissioner of education, addresses schools for the future. It proceeds with two assumptions: (1) all students can learn and can learn at much higher levels than they are now doing; and (2) schools should be ready and able to teach all kids. The first article addresses, generally, the…