This article aims to provide a systemic instrument to evaluate the functioning of higher education systems. Despite systemic instruments have had a strong impact on the management of public policy systems in fields such as health and innovation, higher education has not been widely discussed in applying this type of instrument. Herein lies the…

COL's mission is to help governments, institutions and organisations expand the scale, efficiency and quality of learning by using appropriate open, distance and technology-based approaches. In 2021-2027, COL will: i) build on its expertise in ODL, OER and TEL to play a more influential role in national policy development and implementation; ii)…

This report is made up of seven chapters relating to Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) performance level setting (PLS). Chapter one describes the goals of the PARCC program, content standards measured by PARCC, PARCC performance levels, and components of the PARCC system. Chapter two discusses the goals of…

Adult learning policies, like any other policies, need to be effective: they need to reach their objectives and attain the desired impacts, which should be carefully defined. Understanding the performance of policies allows policy makers to change and improve them. A growing body of research and statistics provides important insights into how…

This paper investigates quality assurance in Chinese higher education by looking at the Evaluation of the University Baccalaureate Programmes Project (EUBPP) conducted in China. It analyses factors that bring about tensions between policy and practice in this area through a study of two contrasting tertiary institutions. The results show that the…

This paper was designed to provide background information for participants of the "Statewide Evaluation of Programs and Services with Students with Disabilities" Policy Forum scheduled for August 30 and 31, 1994. The paper provides information regarding program evaluation issues, to stimulate discussion and to give examples of resources available…

This paper presented the concepts underlying an evaluation model which has been developed and used for several years. The model emphasizes the synergism necessary for optimal evaluation strategies. The model is divided into four domains: (1) policy, (2) program development, (3) instruction, and (4) feedback. It is synergistic in that (1) its…

Wise allocation of resources implies knowledge of which actions will yield the highest net benefit. Predicting benefit requires comparing objectives as to importance and setting priorities among them. This article discusses ways in which policy-makers can set priorities rationally. The advantages of ratios for comparing priorities are discussed.…

One year before the National Education Summit, Congress had reauthorized the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and created a National Assessment Governing Board to develop and oversee policy for the NAEP. In conjunction with the call to establish national education goals, efforts are being made to establish standards for…

School systems must be geared for intensive introspection and analysis if the confusion in educational planning is to be allayed. The Planning, Programing, Budgeting System provides an appropriate framework to approach basic research and policy analysis. (Author/JN)

Examines the nature and accomplishments of social policy research and provides general suggestions for improving information flow to particular areas. The author maintains that the majority of policy research has been carried out in education and has been less successful than it might be due to insufficient feedback systems. (Author/DB)

This resource guide for initiating assessments of educational needs provides perspectives concerning possible and feasible ways to plan, organize, and implement such an assessment. The essence of needs assessment is discussed and a perspective on the effort is given. Crucial planning processes for a needs assessment are outlined and illustrative…

Presents needs assessment as a necessary part of program planning in student affairs. Questions (N=12) are suggested as a framework to guide needs assessment activities. When staff and students become responsible for assessing their own needs, the process becomes educational and goals are more likely to be met. (JAC)

Seven chapters present 31 propositions challenging traditional ideas about the nature and practice of program evaluation. Methods to improve evaluation models and approaches and ways to address intermediate and advanced evaluation issues are explored. The discussion also serves as an introduction to the most analytical and comprehensive of the…

This paper examines recent trends in the establishment of state-level policies for the performance evaluation of experienced teachers. "Trends" are defined as the prevailing state-sanctioned currents of thinking that undergird teacher performance evaluation policies. The document includes a paper that reports on the specific nature of…