For over two decades the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement has administered achievement tests internationally. Results of past and future tests can not only indicate where U.S. students rank in achievement, but also broaden curriculum makers' visions of what is desirable for students. (Author/JM)

This study revealed that supervisors' actual duties are not those described in the literature. In fact, supervisors maintain day-to-day operation of the school system, serve as a center of communication (mostly direct verbal contact), and participate in other highly fragmented activities. (Author/JM)

Stress management can help teachers to identify stressors, find ways to deal with them, provide support for each other, and increase their self-esteem. (Author/JM)

A recent study revealed that stress is not as devastating for most teachers as commonly imagined, but it can be a real problem for the urban, middle-aged, high school teacher. The biggest stressor for these and other teachers is the small number of problem students who chronically misbehave. (Author/JM)

Migrations to the Sun Belt, exodus from urban areas, the aging of the baby-boom generation, and single-parent families are significantly altering the needs and priorities of America's schools. (Author/JM)

Describes two types of criterion-referenced testing that districts can use to measure achievement outcomes of their instructional programs: a random sampling assessment plan and an item-response theory assessment plan. (Author/JM)

Recommends that schools experiment with a comprehensive formative evaluation system suggested by "A Study of Schooling" by John Goodlad and his associates. The system includes periodic assessment of such things as student achievement, teaching practices, class climates, adult working environments, and parent attitudes. (Author/JM)

This review of the literature highlights research-based ways to improve schools and classrooms. Emphasis is on student time-on-task, effective teacher behaviors, and positive teacher supervision. (JM)

To audit school climate requires sound comprehensive planning and should include assessment of the climate dimensions of human satisfaction and human productivity. (Author/JM)

Skillfully interviewing students can elicit useful information about the quality of the educational program. (JM)

Lists 45 criteria for assessing a school's multiethnic education program. (JM)

Teachers in this high school "shadowed" selected students to see the school through students' eyes. The teachers noted both strengths and weaknesses. The latter included class interruptions, low expectations of low achievers, and inadequate learning time. (JM)

The nominal group process, if used when assessing staff development needs, can improve the staff development program by bringing into the open factors inhibiting change. (Author/JM)

Transactional evaluation is a valuable communication tool for drawing out and resolving beneath-the-surface elements that hinder educational goals. (Author)

Defining "curriculum documents" as all written forms a curriculum might take (such as philosophy statements, scope and sequence displays, curriculum guides, instructional units, resource units, or courses of study), this article provides criteria and an instrument for evaluating such documents. (JM)