Social programs are often based on unclearly articulated theoretical rationales. The evaluations of these programs are also often relatively theory free, and therefore make limited contributions to theory. A Program Development Evaluation (PDE) approach, intended to integrate theory testing with the development and evaluation of action programs,…

The purpose of this investigation (special field project) was to seek out theoretical and research-proven foundations pertaining to needs assessment activities and their potential impact upon the development and implementation of a Division of Student Affairs Professional Development Program. It was discovered that the activity is highly…

The paper examines the intergovernmental relationships in policy making for the development of programs for gifted and talented students. A review of studies on provision of programs for gifted children cites inadequate and unevenly distributed services and analyzes the effects of PL 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act on…

This report describes and analyzes the failure of an attempt to launch a series of off-campus graduate credit courses in transportation to update the skills of mid-career professionals. Based on an evaluative review of other programs and teaching methods, the following format was developed: (1) on-campus orientation and examination; (2) self-paced…

The paper describes the development of a program to meet the needs of 20 slow-to-learn developmentally delayed fifth and sixth grade students. Aspects covered include program rationale, strategy, design (including criteria for student selection and budgetary considerations), implementation (including information on individual lesson plans,…

This is the technical report of a study conducted to measure the impact of the cutbacks necessitated by Proposition 13 on the availability and quality of vocational education in California, recommend reforms in the priority-setting process for vocational education given reduced levels of support, and recommend changes in regulations and/or…

The Family Service Community, described in this report, was designed to respond to the low utilization of mental health services by black families, despite the increasing problems of their school-aged children. This was a multiple systems approach to problem-solving in a suburban community mental health center. The patients were parents and their…

The project described achieved two major objectives--the development of a model of a system for recognition of individual participation in professional continuing education by library/media/information personnel, and the development and demonstration of a prototype home study program to show that this learning mode can meet criteria for quality…

Mental health professionals and the general public have generally held differing attitudes toward mental illness. As part of a needs assessment survey, 102 persons (20 service providers, 20 referral persons, and 62 potential consumers) were interviewed concerning their views of mental health problems and services. Respondents first listed examples…

This report covers the first year of a five-year study of 11 school districts that are involved in school improvement activities. The schools are attempting to create new programs that will increase the effectiveness of linking agents working with the schools in three curriculum areas: basic skills, career preparation, and citizen education.…

This paper documents the operations and outcomes of the pilot test of the National Education Practices File, a program designed to identify information needs in education and develop a resources system for educators. This report is divided into four sections, the first three dealing with sources of information regarding the operation and outcomes…

From 1976-79, over 46,000 Wisconsin youth left high school before receiving a high school diploma, a number reflective of a national trend. Research has documented dropout characteristics, their reasons for leaving school, and the consequences of their decisions, but little effort has been made to examine ways in which schools and communities…

The Vocational Assessment of Special Needs Individuals Project originated with the regional vocational schools and educational collaboratives of the Assabet and Blackstone Valleys cooperating to determine a meaningful process through which vocational assessment information could be collected, organized, and used in formulating a basis for…

Meta evaluation, or the evaluation of evaluations, was applied to a technology for program documentation and evaluation used in a mainstreaming project. The technology consisted of four phases: (1) planning for decision-making; (2) documenting actual program outcomes; (3) implementing decisions; and (4) instituting program renewal. This pilot meta…

In compliance with legislative authority, the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education approved a two-year study of the United States Bureau of Occupational and Adult Education (BOAE). The study was to be conducted in two phases. Phase I (reported here) sought out current problems in the administration and operation of vocational…