This book contains abridged and edited versions of research reports with original commentary that were previously published elsewhere. The articles reflect J. Dewey's notion that schools must prepare children to be effective members of a democracy and that life in a heterogeneous society requires cultural flexibility and cooperation that must be…

This book examines some of the main problems arising in the sociology of education, and seeks to shed light on the methods that are frequently employed to study them. An attempt is made to distinguish the formal level of education from the real level of education. On the basis of the formal level of education researchers can divide populations…

This packet of materials for the adult literacy volunteer contains a booklet of information and accompanying reading selections meant to help a tutor get started with a new learner. The booklet covers these topics: initial assessment of learners with sample student interview form; informal assessment with assessment questions; observing the…

This resource document provides general information about literacy portfolio assessment, guidelines on using the technique, and a format for getting started. The first part discusses testing and assessment in adult literacy and basic education, alternative assessment, and literacy portfolios. The second part contains a list of questions and steps…

The primary purpose of testing in early childhood is to identify children who may be at risk for learning problems so they may be placed in appropriate educational environments. Testing is popular because educators take at face value the claim by test developers that using standardized test instruments to classify, retain, or promote children is…

Recent reports by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the National Research Council, the Mathematical Sciences Education Board, and the Board on Mathematical Sciences emphasize that coordinated improvement in the content of mathematics curriculum, classroom instruction, and teacher education is the key to improving mathematics…

In the second year of a project investigating the ability of secondary school teachers to identify high-ability students, two questions were addressed: what student characteristics influenced teachers' judgments, and why checklists appeared to have little impact on teachers' judgments. A structured approach was developed to study student…

To accumulate the data necessary for making recommendations for the improvement of middle school reading programs in Massachusetts, such programs were assessed by computer searches, informal interviews, and random questionnaires. "TRANS," Teaching Reading Acquisition Natural to Subject Areas, embodies the kind of program needed to meet…

The Cooperative Assessment of Experiential Learning project (CAEL) has developed general principles for assessment of prior experiential learning which can be adapted for local circumstances and individual learning. An overview of the basic principles of good assessment practice, as represented in current CAEL publications, is provided. Procedural…

Comprehensive vocational assessment needs to become an integral part of vocational programming in secondary and postsecondary schools, since it is crucial in developing appropriate individualized education plans for students with special needs. A prime focus for vocational assessment should be entrance into vocational education courses. It should…

This paper argues for the use of social indicators, in conjunction with the traditional norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests, to assess the effects of local educational systems. A conceptual framework for the study of educational performance is presented, interrelating: (1) personal resources invested by youth; (2) opportunities for…

Intended for non-experts in evaluative techniques, this monograph presents suggestions and examples for assessing: (1) the child; (2) the classroom; and (3) the program or the school. Illustrative techniques of recordkeeping are presented. Methods of collecting data include documentation and formal records. Techniques to be used during evaluation…

Methods of assessing children's oral language ability are explored in this paper. Following a discussion of problems involved in the formal assessment of oral language ability, a study is described that revealed that the evaluation of the oral language of 12 kindergarten children in the social context of the natural classroom environment,…

To assist women who aspire to vocational administrative positions but lack the required work experience, a guide was developed to build an administrative competency portfolio for presentation of abilities acquired through unpaid or volunteer experiences and paid work experiences where administrative responsibilities were present but not obvious…

Intended to help classroom teachers develop basic orientation and mobility skills in young visually impaired children, the curriculum guide contains five interrelated sections that deal with body image, basic sensory concepts and abilities, motor coordination, sensory modalities, and pre-cane skills. Each section contains a brief introduction and…