Course content validation was developed as a diagnostic model to ascertain the extent and quality of implementation of individualized instruction at College of the Mainland (COM). This process diagnoses the quality of instruction as judged by instructional peers at other institutions. Content raters are sent course syllabi, course documents,…

A perspective of state assessment, state goal-setting, and state standards adoption is presented. Relationships among these three concepts are noted and the relationship of all three to a system orientation is explored. The recent history of national and state assessment is documented. Attention is given in this historical overview to the manner…

Recent developments in faculty organization and accountability are discussed separately in terms of their implications for evaluation of academic programs and departments. Faculty organization is examined in relation to each components' (individual faculty members, departments, colleges, and other assorted units) accessibility to and utilization…

Colleges and universities engaged in the preparation of art teachers address a broad range of issues. Questions concerning specific education requirements leading to certification, approaches to curriculum development and assessment, opportunities for clinical experiences, and exposure to teaching methodologies and classroom management strategies…

This Writing Instructional Intervention Supplement from the Mississippi Department of Education contains benchmarks, informal assessments, and suggested teaching strategies for the fourth through eighth grades. Benchmarks outline what students should know and be able to do to meet mandated competencies. Informal and observational assessments…

Reviewers analyzed the alignment of assessments and standards in mathematics and science from four states at a four-day institute conducted June 29 through July 2, 1998. Six reviewers compared the match between assessment items and standards in mathematics and seven compared the match in science. Data from these analyses were processed and used to…

Assessment of elementary school students' knowledge about science is essential. Despite the existence of curricular materials and assessment tools for science content and concepts at all grade levels, there is very little information on how to assess the science process skills that students are expected to learn through science instruction. This…

Accreditation is a primary means of quality assurance in North American higher education. The seven sections of this handbook (an eighth will follow) explain the accreditation process of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). The first section, "An Introduction to Accreditation by ATS," provides…

The current practice of reinspecting approved law schools every seven years permits some schools to operate outside American Bar Association standards of substantial periods. Annual review is recommended, and the proposed questionnaire is appended. (Journal availability: Dennis & Co., Inc., 251 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14203, $6.00.) (MSE)

Conflict over whether Dutch standardized tests and national standards are appropriate relates to goals ascribed to student evaluation (a measurement goal for selection decisions or a pedagogical goal to support learning). Interviews with Dutch secondary teachers who worked in a context that combined national standards in the final year with…

Notes that across the United States, a growing number of higher education institutions and local public school districts have formed school-university partnerships to improve teacher preparation and public school student achievement. Explains that performance-based standards have had a profound impact on how undergraduates are prepared to meet the…

This article discusses using performance based assessment in the social studies classroom. The intent is to show how performance assessment in a social studies classroom can be the basis for providing integrated social science instruction using state standards to address student academic diversity. Elements of classroom performance assessments are…

Chronicles the Providence College Elementary/Special Education Program's move from one which relied upon input measures to evaluate student teachers to one focusing on output measures (performance in coursework and the classroom). The paper describes steps taken to implement standards and their measured attainment into college coursework and…

This paper examines trends in mathematics assessment for students with mild disabilities, with emphasis on implications of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards. Results of two studies are reported, one reviewing current mathematics assessment procedures in special education, and the other comparing the Key Math-Revised measure…

This article considers issues concerning assessment of students with special needs at Key Stages 1 and 3 of the British National Curriculum. These include timing and administration of assessments, teacher training, special adaptations to the assessments, special arrangements, recording and reporting, and exceptions. (DB)