The ABCs of Curriculum-Based Evaluation: A Practical Guide to Effective Decision Making (The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series)

This book provides a practical guide to curriculum-based evaluation (CBE), which helps educators solve learning problems by making data-based decisions about what and how to teach. CBE offers clear procedures for analyzing PreK-12 students' academic skills, determining where instruction needs to focus, and evaluating progress. Written in an engaging, step-by-step style, the book features examples throughout that illustrate the problem-solving process. The use of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) as a data collection technique is discussed. Reproducible planning and implementation tools are included; the large-size format facilitates photocopying. Purchasers also get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials.

This book is in The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series, edited by Sandra M. Chafouleas.

See also The ABCs of CBM: A Practical Guide to Curriculum-Based Measurement, by Michelle K. Hosp, John L. Hosp, and Kenneth W. Howell, which provides hands-on instructions for implementing a core technique used in CBE.

John L. Hosp, PhD, is Professor of Special Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research focuses on MTSS/RTI, including disproportionate representation of minority students in special education and aligning assessment and instruction, particularly in the areas of CBM and CBE. Dr. Hosp has conducted workshops nationally and has authored over 50 journal articles, book chapters, and books.

Michelle K. Hosp, PhD, is Director of the Iowa Reading Research Center. A nationally known trainer and speaker on problem solving and the use of progress monitoring data, she has worked as a trainer with the National Center on Progress Monitoring and the National Center on Response to Intervention, and is currently on the technical review committee for the National Center on Intensive Intervention. Her research focus is on reading and data-based decision making in relation to CBM and CBE. Dr. Hosp has published articles and conducted workshops both at the state and national level.

Kenneth W. Howell, PhD, until his death in 2025, was Professor Emeritus of Special Education at Western Washington University. A former general and special education teacher and school psychologist, Dr. Howell’s primary focus was on students with learning problems and behavioral difficulties, including adjudicated youth. He presented nationally and internationally on CBE, MTSS/RTI, juvenile corrections, and social skills, and published extensively in the areas of CBE, CBM, and problem solving.

Randy Allison, MEd, EdS, is the owner of Educational Solutions, LLC, where he provides consultative services to education agencies and school districts. He also teaches at Iowa State University. Mr. Allison began his career as a school psychologist. He then joined Heartland Area Education Agency as Supervisor of School Psychology and Coordinator of Systems Supports and Educational Results, ultimately becoming the Director of Special Education. He also worked at the Iowa Department of Education as the Consultant for Data-Based Decision Making and Progress Monitoring. He has written, presented, and consulted widely on problem-solving processes and RTI.