This paper provides an analysis of the controversy surrounding the standard setting process conducted by ACT Inc. for the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB). This process is the most thoroughly planned, carefully executed, exhaustively evaluated, completely documented, and most visible of any standard setting process of which the author is…

It is fair to state that, until relatively recently, the British Armed Forces believed that they led the way in leadership development and training, and with some justification. However, the present New Labour administration and the Ministry of Defence "MoD" do not share that view, and have issued a direct challenge to the Armed Services…

The development of a National Framework for Quality in early childhood care and education in Ireland is the main focus of the work of the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education. A central element of the brief for this groundbreaking initiative is that it must have relevance for all settings where children aged birth to six are…

There's no better way to understand the work of a scientist than to have it explained in the scientist's own words. Scientific journals, personal accounts of research projects, and documentaries can give students an authentic view of the scientific process. It's an important step towards getting students excited about science and the work of…

This double issue of "The Evaluation Exchange" focuses on one of the central components of complementary learning: family involvement. As outlined in the Theory & Practice article, investments in family involvement are important across ages and settings and through the co-constructed efforts and shared responsibilities of many…

Although many factors combine to make a successful school, most people agree that quality teachers and school principals are among the most important requirements for success, especially when success is defined by the ability of the school to raise the achievement of its students. The central question for this study is how the quality of the…

These national standards document basic competencies required for individuals providing adapted physical education services. They define qualifications for professionals in this field and the knowledge and skills needed by individuals preparing for the certification examination. An introduction describes the development of the standards, including…

This document proposes a direction and strategies for using a total quality management approach to develop and implement standards for evaluating vocational education students and assessing programs throughout Michigan. Discussed in part 1 are the following: the terms "standards,""assessments," and "certification";…

The Subcommittee on Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education of the House Committee on Education and Labor met to consider the recommendations of the National Council on Education Standards and Testing. The report recommends the establishment of national education standards, a national system of assessments, and the establishment of a…

This booklet is designed to assist General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ) coordinators, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) coordinators, staff development managers, enterprise unit managers, and assessor training coordinators in ensuring that sufficient numbers of staff members at British further education colleges are trained and…

This document adapts the U.S. national standards for social studies for use in schools serving American Indian students. Compatible with the national standards, this supplement is broken into material for early grades, middle grades, and high school and is organized around the same 10 thematic strands: culture; time, continuity, and change;…

This document presents American Indian history standards that are closely aligned with the 1996 expanded edition of the U.S. national standards for history. The American Indian standards should be used in conjunction with the national standards document itself and therefore, follow the same format, organization, and language. The Indian-specific…

Claims that national tests will improve student learning are explored, asking whether national examinations will ensure high-quality instruction and greater student learning and whether tests developed to meet urgent political deadlines will retain essential features of authentic curriculum-driven assessments. Part I presents research evidence on…

A major review of vocational education and training has occurred across the United Kingdom since 1986. Employment requirements are being identified in the form of occupational standards that provide the foundation for the new system of vocational qualifications, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). Standards describe what people need to be…

This paper explores some of the issues involved in assessing national-curriculum standards at the local level. Some of the things that might foster the use of high-quality assessments include: (1) feasible and assessable state content standards; (2) a clear purpose for each assessment; (3) an emphasis on valid, fair, and reliable classroom…