Purpose: To examine the functional impact of specific language impairment (SLI). Specific goals were to determine whether (a) subjective ratings of narrative quality differentiate children with SLI from their normally developing (ND) age-mates, (b) laypersons and teachers differ in their ratings of narrative quality, (c) objective measures confirm…

Recognizes the attraction of Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), a technique that uses a scale to measure client's achievement, but suggests that there are concerns about the calculation of its standard scores. Examples show how GAS may be used in service development, whether or not numerical values are attached. (Author/CR)

Shares a grading system based on a percentage of the total number of points attainable. The system requires students to maintain a personal notebook of their work and informs students of how their grades will be calculated. (MDH)

Examines student experience of criterion-referenced assessment and, in particular, a criteria assessment grid developed for the Business School at Oxford Brookes University (UK). Findings revealed that students desired more reliable marking processes and clearer guidelines on assessment requirements and criteria. The criterion-referenced grid,…

Recommendations are presented for the state-by-state assessment of student achievement as part of the development of educational indicators to be compared across states. The State Education Assessment Center of the Council of Chief State School Officers solicited comments from the states about developing the assessment program. Issues were…

Student perceptions of their behaviors in graded courses were compared with those in courses where they received written evaluation. While they reported working equally hard and being equally anxious, they did more of the reading in the evaluation courses and "got more out of" the graded ones. "Getting something out of" a…

Two general methods of associate (peer) evaluations--the rating procedure and the nomination procedure--are most often used. While both techniques produce similar results, the variation in procedure used to obtain the data has limited most direct comparisons. Because of this, the differences between the several methods of making the evaluations…

Data from a study involving 43 grade 3-6 teachers suggests that teachers are able to differentiate effort and achievement when assigning ratings, and experiential relevance and familiarity are important factors in any grading system that teachers can successfully use. (IAH)

Discusses the development of performance schema that outline criteria specific to a job-related activity during which trainees apply course content and demonstrate competencies learned. The process involves identification and grouping of criteria, choosing rating scales, checklist construction, and organization of the preceding elements into a…

The purpose of the project was to plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive vocational education program for career development in Grades K-12, in one metropolitan school district in Florida. Data for the evaluation of the program were collected from students, teachers, counselors, and administrators. The hypotheses for guiding the evaluation…

Three types of student evaluation strategies used in Italy are described: (1) teacher's free comments; (2) standardized adjectives used as rating scales; and (3) numeric scores based on tests and other evaluation criteria. Implications of the third approach, which was implemented according to legislation in 1977, are discussed. (GDC)

Results revealed significant differences in preferences for marking plans as well as an interaction between marking plans and grade levels. Differences in preferences were attributed to differences in evaluation needs. (Authors/CB)

The measurement of value added (MVA) is a powerful tool that can help British further education colleges improve student and program performance. MVA can focus on individual learners, sectional management issues, and presentation of colleges' achievements to external audiences. MVA may be used for the following purposes: improving guidance and…