This review of effective practices in state-wide systems change was conducted as part of the PEERS (Providing Education for Everyone in Regular Schools) Project, a 5-year collaborative systems change project in California to facilitate the integration of students with severe disabilities previously at special centers into services at regular…

A framework is presented for evaluating family centers in the context of the community environment. The family centers will be created in a variety of communities and under varying auspices. Several will be selected as prototype centers and, as such, will need more elaborate evaluation plans than the others. Prototype centers will need to evaluate…

Litton Industries has been investigating methods for analyzing training problems and designing appropriate systems of individualized instruction to address those problems. This work can be referred to as the development of the Instructional Systems Analysis and Selection (ISAS) procedures. ISAS is a collection of questions, comparison matrices,…

The two-year process of establishing and implementing a by-mail outcome evaluation system in a community mental health center is described. The effect of active executive leadership and the subsequent effects of staff cooperation on client participation rates are discussed, as well as specific responsibilities of the program manager. Illustrative…

This administrator's guide is designed to provide a systematic and objective means of evaluating an ongoing reading program. The procedures outlined recognize the important role of the administrator as the change-agent who initiates, encourages, supports, observes, and evaluates programs. The systems approach simplifies the Generic Planning…

The least understood of complex systems is that which produces educated people. Superficially, many key elements of a manufacturing organization are part of the system: a product, product tolerance limits, methods for assessing product deviation, and a feed-back system for making compensatory adjustments. In layman's terms these elements are:…

In this final volume of a three-volume series on the construction of self-instructional systems, the focus is on various aspects of post-construction control and improvement. As the first step in this phase, the process of polishing the material by checking for readability, integration, retention, and motivation is described and some of the aids…

This paper documents what may be a "first in the nation": the implementation of a formalized planning process in the media field on a statewide basis. Guidelines were developed for an integrated media system, which included library, television, and audiovisual services, using a systems approach. The aim of the system was to increase use…

Trace organic analysis (TOA) is seen as a more useful way to quantify environmental pollutants. Current practices and future trends are discussed in detail. Seven steps in TOA are identified: collection, storage, extraction, concentration, isolation, identification, and quantification. (MA)

The Association of American Medical Colleges' (AAMC) Clinical Evaluation Program, initiated in 1979, is described. Efforts toward improvement of evaluation focused on three tasks: definition of educational objectives, specification of criteria for determining when those objectives are met, and development of methods for assessing individual…

Used a general systems model to evaluate a self-help support group for medical students (N=26). Results showed most medical students sought out support groups to fulfill social affiliation needs and gain better self-understanding. Members shared many leadership functions and generally found the groups meaningful. (JAC)

This technical report presents issues related to defining and applying accountability systems for young children, including those with disabilities. It notes that reaching shared perspectives on definitions of accountability systems and their constituents remains complicated by the number of levels to which such systems can apply (e.g., child-,…

Focuses on learner verification and revision (LVR), a systems approach to the evaluation of instructional materials in which materials are tested with students. Using this method to adapt internationally available materials to local needs is discussed. A flow chart of the LVR adaptation process and 31 references are included. (JJD)

Describes the initial evaluation phase of family therapy, which clarifies the circular interaction maintaining the symptom, the family structure, and its relationship to the therapist. Suggests using first sessions to collect data and organize it meaningfully. Presents phenomenological and mythical models of family functioning as guides for…

Presents general systems models (ballistic system, guided system, and adaptive system) and an evaluation matrix to help in examining training evaluation alternatives and in deciding what evaluation is appropriate. Includes some guidelines for conducting evaluation studies using four designs (control group, reversal, multiple baseline, and…