Argues that standards-referenced reporting frameworks, the Australian nationally developed Mathematics Profile in particular, require the use of teacher observation as an essential assessment practice if teachers are to report the full range of demonstrated student achievement. Supports student self-assessment. (14 references) (Author/MKR)

Maintains that children's literature and trade books can be a springboard for the social studies curriculum. Argues for the use of text sets, especially in the younger grades. Provides bibliographies of three text sets covering the topics: friendship, families, and community helpers. (MJP)

Discusses problem posing as a feature of creative activity or exceptional mathematical ability, inquiry-oriented instruction, mathematical activity, improving students' problem solving, a window into students' mathematical understanding, and improving students' disposition toward mathematics. (Contains 70 references.) (MKR)

Describes using book diaries as a way for students to respond in writing to their reading as they practice the comprehension strategies learned in class; also describes using the diaries as an informal means of assessing students' learning and communicating regularly with parents. (MG)

Describes minimal requirements for functional intervention-based eligibility assessment of preschool children with possible developmental disabilities. The methodology is intended to help derive logical, natural, and meaningful discrepancies in behavior or performance through contextual analysis of child-related, environmental, and instructional…

This article discusses the development of an assessment instrument for measuring handwriting ability and determining assistive technology needs. It includes a sample needs assessment that could be used to assist in the matching of a device to an individual who requires modification for the purpose of graphic output. (CR)

Highlights the importance of a positive first visual impression of a childcare center to prospective clients. Provides a facility assessment checklist with 44 questions in the areas of: (1) building and landscape; (2) entrance; (3) hallways and common space; (4) classrooms; (5) playground; (6) children's communications; and (7) staff…

The limitations of informant assessment of problem behaviors was investigated across seven situations and three participants (ages 11-18) with cognitive impairments. Informant hypotheses about the function of problem behaviors were validated by subsequent functional analyses only when informants identified their hypotheses as involving situations…

Colleges and universities typically record student achievement through a system of number and grades. This system of documenting student learning is based on the assumption that students progressively carry with them and build on their learning as they advance through courses. However, learning is more than an aggregation of courses and credits.…

Sooner or later, every educator hears the following plea from a current or former student: "Will you write a letter of recommendation for me?" Usually, the student is seeking employment or applying to a college or university for additional education. Many times instructors--taken off guard and unprepared for these requests--find themselves staring…

Existing research indicates that there is a disproportionate number of students with cultural and linguistic differences, English Language Learners (ELL), who are misidentified as learning disabled when their problems are due to cultural and/or linguistic differences. As a consequence, these students do not receive appropriate services. With the…

This 90-item annotated bibliography contains material primarily published after 1977. The bibliography provides a readily available resource related to informal reading inventories (IRIs). The three sections of the document are: (1) basic information; (2) research; and (3) descriptive reports. The bibliography is designed to be useful to a diverse…

To assess the effectiveness of various composition evaluation methods, a study asked two freshman English classes to respond to three questionnaires on the writing of personal essays and methods of evaluation they had experienced. Responses indicated that all students had a fear of having their essays evaluated. Evaluation methods considered a…

This three-part monograph on human resource development is intended for counselors who wish to translate their counseling skills and experience to work with business and industry. Part I presents an overview of the field of human resource development (HRD) emphasizing the counselor as an HRD professional. Chapter I discusses the application to…

Intended for teachers and caregivers of severely handicapped individuals with impaired hearing, the manual provides information about hearing and audiological assessment. Section I presents an overview of the nature of sound and the structure of the ear. Section II describes a number of informal assessment procedures which can be carried out in…