In interviews and simulated decision-making tasks, eight Alberta principals identified seven social and political values, five basic human values, and three moral values affecting their school-based decisions. Values also influenced conflict resolution and were related to orientation to the principal role. Contains 20 references. (SV)

Research findings suggest that teachers are not competent in student assessment and that teacher education programs do not provide adequate training in assessment techniques. A survey of 33 Canadian universities found that most prospective teachers did not complete a measurement and evaluation course. Contains 44 references. (SV)

Departing from J. Dewey's vision of communication, a gap between the language of researchers and the language of lay people and policymakers is identified. Ways of bridging the gap are defined, and the communications task of the educational researcher is reviewed. (SLD)

The relationship between cultural background and giftedness was studied for 52 fifth graders (24 males and 28 females) in Finland using a case study method. Giftedness was assessed by 18 teachers. Cognitive strategies were linked to self-concept and strategies of perceiving information, supporting the background role of social experiences. (SLD)

Preliminary assessments were made of decentralized and part-time teacher education programs, which represent alternate routes to teacher certification, to stimulate the supply of teachers in northern Norway. These first- and second-generation programs are being accepted, despite problems with multiple demands on students and supervision of teacher…

A longitudinal study of 1,256 participants in adult basic education in Denmark focused on psychological changes in adult education participants regarding reemployment. The unemployed were goal directed and became more so during the course. Participants' high social support diminished during the course as participants began to meet some societal…

The effects of fathers' absence from the home on their children's educational aptitude and achievement were studied for about 9,000 Swedish children from grade 6 to age 21 years, 15 percent of whom lived only with their mothers. Low achievement in the mathematical and technical spheres characterized those with no father in the home. (SLD)

A putative causal relationship of cognitions to affects in different phases of teachers' stress cycles was studied for 414 elementary school teachers in Finland. Results provide only negligible support for the causal predominance of cognitions in disturbed affects; the opposite seemed to prevail. Implications for teacher satisfaction are…

Thirty-nine adult computer novices in Denmark were interviewed and observed to determine the nature of their global understanding of information technology. Three assessment types, three coping strategies, and four categorical frameworks for understanding were identified. A new methodology for testing the validity of qualitative analyses is…

The discriminant validity of two subscales of the Reynell Developmental Language Scales (RDLS) was investigated using data from 225 children given the RDLS at age 4 and the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities at age 5. Results support the hypothesis; the RDLS scales measure distinct but correlated language abilities. (SLD)

Studies processes in 49 Canadian K-13 classrooms to identify teachers' student achievement evaluation methods. Teacher interviews and categorization of their testing instruments showed teachers beyond early primary grades used evaluations mainly to generate marks for reporting purposes. Such reports seen as reaffirming existing judgments, rather…

Describes two Quebec studies integrating educational diagnosis with classroom assessment to develop learning strategies. Outlines new model based on studies and new mastery learning developments. Argues that the unit of measurement should shift from the student to the teacher-student interaction, and the methodology should be "horizontal" rather…

Reviews medical and psychoeducational assessment models, illustrating need to expand assessment procedure database resulting from the measurement errors in traditional assessment practices. Introduces assessment model emphasizing collection of classroom-based information over time and evaluating data more critically. Suggests model facilitates…

Describes five propositions concerning classroom assessment. Uses propositions to review seven conference papers. Propositions refer to the following: nature of achievement; student information necessary to interpret assessments; tension between need to describe and need to praise; distinction between formal and informal assessment; and need for…

It is demonstrated that the topics discussed in contemporary research in metacognition are integral parts of the theory of cognitive development of L. S. Vygotsky. Unique to Vygotsky's approach is a focus on the sign system of human language and the linguistic tools of thought and control. (SLD)