Section archive - Assessment & Evaluation

In this article, the authors explore how relationships between peer facilitators and students in a Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) program impacted on education students as independent learners. The findings reveal that PASS participants discussed experiences of the program, revealing tensions between what students and facilitators felt should happen in PASS, and how they acted differently. The authors conclude that they recognize the importance of training that focuses on facilitating student-centered sessions, which address study skills and deepen understanding of course material. Facilitators could be encouraged to work collegially in generating a range of activities that promote active learning for PASS participants.

This case study examined how early childhood teachers’ beliefs and practices influence the function of preschool outdoor play. Teachers’ perceptions about outdoor play included the theme of outdoor play opportunities afforded children on the playground. Additional teachers’ perceptions included barriers to outdoor play and teacher preparation and planning for the outdoor environment.The early childhood teachers at the center believed that supervision is paramount during children’s outdoor play. The teachers viewed their primary responsibility outdoors as keeping the children safe and providing guidance, yet allowing children to play without teacher intrusion. Furthermore, teachers perceived that outdoor play opportunities were limited due to the physical space and the fixed equipment outdoors.

The purpose of this article is understanding the limitations of value-added measures (VAM) and the inferences that they do and do not support. These limitations fall into three categories. First, value-added measures (VAM) provide information about only one of several important dimensions of teacher preparation program quality, focusing on one outcome measure, but not addressing other program characteristics. Second, comparing programs on the average VAM scores begs the question of whether mean performance is the most appropriate way to look at program quality. Third, the measurement of program graduates’ VAM is strongly affected by the labor market for teachers, which weakens the inferences from VAM scores to the quality of preparation programs.

This study aimed to evaluate teaching effectiveness in an elective science course, in the Early Childhood Education Department of Athens University in Greece. An enhancement and a worsening student beliefs groups were identified based on their changing beliefs.