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…

Particular aspects of evaluating counseling and guidance programs are discussed and various services which must be included if such programs are to optimally serve the total educational program are reviewed. After a short discussion of: (1) the importance of evaluation, (2) its guiding philosophy, (3) evaluation of staff qualities, and (4)…

A model to assess instructor concerns about, and use of, the innovation or change in classroom procedures and materials has been proposed and tested for its effectiveness in a vocational curriculum area. Indications are that this model has promise for improving the installation of desired change in vocational curricula. (Author)

The activities and results of a comprehensive three-year evaluation of Utah's Title IV-C programs are summarized. They demonstrated that evaluation can produce valuable outcomes in addition to complying with federal requirements. State officials gained insights into program improvement; local officials gained expertise in program operation and…

The Texas "Families First" project was started to accomplish the following: (1) strengthen the capacity of local family literacy projects to design, support, and administer high quality programs by leveraging resources from several agencies in the state; and (2) finalize the indicators of program quality (IPQs) in early childhood…

This article introduces the issue of articles on research assessments and rankings. It focuses on the British Research Assessment Exercises (RAEs) and New Zealand's Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF). It contrasts these with systems that are not tied to funding formulas and emphasise quality enhancement rather than quality assurance. It…

This interview guide can be used to determine whether a workplace literacy provider has the skills to develop and deliver a successful workplace literacy program that will meet the needs of a business and build the productive capacity of its employees. It can be used to assess the capabilities of a wide variety of literacy providers, including…

This report presents a review and evaluation of the accountability plans in public postsecondary education as they relate to the mission and goals of postsecondary institutions. A review of current accountability activities found that existing legislation and institutional responses do not sufficiently embody the kinds of characteristics that…

This brief describes new requirements for vocational education program improvement and evaluation mandated by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990. Recommendations to enhance the impact of program improvement and evaluation activities are included. The first two sections discuss developing new state…

A review of the literature was conducted to describe the field of program evaluation, to identify useful sources of information on the topic, and to outline concepts and methodologies that have been proposed for planning and conducting evaluations of education and training programs. The results of the review showed that the failures of early…

This document describes the 1993-94 program review process for Austin Community College (ACC), in Texas. First, the goals of program review are briefly reviewed and ACC's mission and instructional philosophy are set forth. The structure and process is then described, indicating that an Instructional Program Review Committee (PRC), formed of two…

Areas of process evaluation which are crucial but often overlooked in determining exemplary bilingual education programs are presented. The process evaluation components discussed are: (1) needs assessment; (2) program planning; (3) commitment and competencies of staff; (4) nature and appropriateness of instruction and curriculum; (5) pupil…

An examination was made of Federal program statistics on vocational education during the past 10 years by the Bureau of Occupational and Adult Education of the U. S. Office of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics of the U. S. Department of Education. The study found that despite a mandate for reform, the National Center's…

This formative evaluation of the Atlantic Street Center's Pre-Teen Bridge Program (P-T Bridge) focused on the academic support and prosocial skill development components of the program. The academic component included one-on-one tutoring, and the prosocial skill component included activities and materials designed to improve social and…

A project was conducted to develop a model for evaluating specialized and traditional programs in marketing and distributive education. The project included a review of literature containing information regarding the points of view expressed by advocates of the specialized, traditional, and middle-of-the-road approaches to program planning in…