Examines the usefulness of participatory evaluation in program development. Emphasizes formative evaluation and suggests approaches for planning participation in evaluation and adapting methods to facilitate use of participatory evaluation in adult and nonformal education programs. (JOW)

The emphasis on and the importance of evaluation have been addressed by program planners for the past 60 years. Evaluation strategies have broadened from the Tylerian approach, which focuses on specific objectives, to more investigation using indicators as measures of program success. Evaluation is important during the development of a program and…

The importance of evaluation and needs assessment balance in the planning cycle of adult education program development is discussed. A 10-step Problem Analysis Model is offered and explained to help educators develop an integrated, reality-based program that identifies a target group and defines and prioritizes needs. (DF)

This guide is designed to help educators plan and carry out evaluations of adult education programs. Following an introduction, Section 2 discusses how the evaluation process fits into the concept and normal cycle of program development. Section 3 describes the stages of the evaluation process, including needs assessment, program planning, process…

This article highlights several issues related to the collection of post-release outcome data in the evaluation of correctional education programs and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the different methods of collecting data related to recidivism, employment/earnings, and further education/training. The use of traditional follow-up in…

This guide to effective staff development planning draws extensively on the literature to discuss the concepts crucial at each stage of the planning process. An introductory section reviews the characteristics of adult learners (including what they want to learn and how they prefer to learn it), touching on adult development, learning and…

The Instructional Systems Design (ISD) process was applied to a communication skills training project for the New York City Police Department. The purpose of the application was to reduce the number of unnecessary civilian complaints accumulated by police officers. The project passed through the five phases of ISD: analysis, design, development,…

Distance education has developed into a variety of correspondence courses, covering a wide range of subject matter. Distance education systems operate on all continents, at levels from primary to university and through the nonformal and vocational. The variation selected must meet a given need and be appropriate to available resources. Many…

The University of Phoenix has developed a comprehensive outcomes and impact assessment program to assess the effects of a university education on students, particularly adult students. The program is integrated with the existing process assessment systems. Process assessments, which the university refers to as the Academic Quality Management…

To provide instruction in work-related reading, writing, and mathematical computation, Jobs for Youth established a Right-to-Read Reading Academy. Program objectives were (1) to develop and expand work-related instructional tasks, competency pre- and post-tests, and work-related curriculum and (2) to provide service in this area for out-of-school,…