A system for evaluating language teaching uses a specially designed assessment form to give supervisors,' peers,' and students' views of the teacher's performance. The instrument provides both subjective and objective information, is designed for use in secondary and higher education, and evaluates verbal and nonverbal behavior. (MSE)

During this four-volume study, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights evaluated 11 federal agencies to determine whether or not they have responded to recommendations offered in previous reports and if civil rights enforcement improved as a result. Throughout the volumes, the Commission has identified good and inadequate civil rights practices that…

This brief paper reports on recent workshops and conferences on faculty roles and responsibilities held as part of continuing efforts in the Illinois Board of Higher Education's Priorities, Quality, and Productivity initiative. Introductory paragraphs recall the establishment of the initiative and earlier events and efforts. A report on two…

This study examines the quality of California's K-12 education, discussing how the system protects mediocrity and how to improve educational quality in the state. It explains that what most ails the teaching force is that excellent teachers are not rewarded for superior work, and failing teachers are rarely held accountable for poor performance.…

This book provides graduate students and tenure-track junior faculty with information on how to develop an adequate publication record and offers information needed to maximize the likelihood of having articles accepted for publication by peer-reviewed professional, scientific, and scholarly journals. The focus of the discussion is on how…

The case of a music faculty member's dismissal after 10 years of continuous full-time employment is chronicled, and these issues are discussed: probation, evaluation, and tenure; failure to reach a timely decision on tenure; action tantamount to dismissal for cause; other similar cases; and sex discrimination. (MSE)

The trend toward accountability has focused attention on the evaluation of the performance of the faculty. The evaluation process and an analysis of the policies that guide these processes are discussed. Ten guidelines for the review of evaluation policies are provided. (MLW)

A survey of faculty attitudes shows that, although the existing evaluation system--including peer, graduate student, and undergraduate student assessments--is perceived as narrow in focus, ineffective in improving teaching, and inflexible, faculty are optimistic that a satisfactory system is possible. (Author/MSE)

Five methods of faculty evaluation used at the University of Illinois are described: student evaluations--including questionnaires; written comments, and group interviews; self-evaluation; and evaluation by colleagues. (GDC)

Children's ratings were obtained, examining reciprocal feedback between perceptions of physical attractiveness and ability. Data supported the conclusion that perceptions of ability affect those of physical attractiveness but not vice versa. The role of the relative ambiguity of stimuli associated with physical attractiveness may explain the…

Five views of quality education are identified: the mystical, the reputational, the resources, the outcome, and the value-added. A new approach is proposed with the emphasis on good teaching, unpublicized student evaluations, and disinterested peer evaluation. (Author/MLW)

A 27-item measure assessed college peer environments in terms of friends' interests as perceived by individual students. Four dimensions of interests were identified in cluster analyses: collegiate activities, intellectual pursuits, apathy or alienation, and traditional adult orientation. These dimensions were related to social, psychological, and…

Reputational ratings were obtained from 1,005 chairpersons in 15 liberal arts disciplines at 67 universities. Analysis revealed a significant difference for universities, for disciplines, and for the interaction between the two. Comparisons were made between the ratings of chairpersons of the top and bottom 10 departments. (Author/GDC)

Adequate cause for dismissal is defined and analyzed. Whether for immoral conduct, insubordination, or incompetency, an institution must be mindful of the countervailing protection of academic freedom. Dismissal must be firmly grounded upon demonstrable acts or omissions and assume reasonable procedures, incorporating peer review. Some court cases…

A La Guardia Community College (New York) course in developmental writing for deaf students features small class size and teachers fluent in American Sign Language. Teaching practices include reading of model essays on topics of interest to deaf students, peer feedback on the first two drafts of writing assignments, and student "reading…