To improve an ongoing training session, the author suggests holding 20- to 30-minute evaluation meetings at the end of each day. Trainers and representative trainees identify learning problems, air issues, and propose modifications for the next class or session. (SK)

Reflects on fundamental questions concerning accountability in higher education: "Toward what end?"; "What data and criteria are relevant?"; "Who is responsible for what and to whom?"; and "Through what means?"; Discusses the characteristics of an effective accountability system. (EV)

The Canadian Evaluation Society explored the benefits that can be attributed to program evaluation, the outputs necessary to achieve those benefits, and the knowledge and skills needed to produce outputs. Findings, which articulate benefits, outputs, and skills, can be used by evaluation organizations to support advocacy and professional…

Proposes that effective implementation of school-wide systems of positive behavior support will require moving the consultation process from individual cases to working teams of educators. Key skills and possible measurement strategies to develop and sustain school-wide consultation efforts are described. (Contains 48 references.) (GCP)

As part of the American Psychological Association's centennial, this article presents a reprint of an original work published in 1952 in the "Journal of Consulting Psychology" examining the evidence relating to the actual effects of psychotherapy. (NB)

Notes that accountability and efficacy have become increasingly important components of program standards. Presents program evaluation study designed and implemented by school psychologists which demonstrates a methodology for evaluating elementary-school-based counseling programs. The research demonstrates gains made by those referred for…

Reviews youth programs worldwide, focusing on program objectives, contexts provided by programs, activities and processes, relationships of programs to families and schools, and national environments. Outlines six approaches to program evaluation. Suggests that program outcomes are related to intrinsic factors, extrinsic factors, and participant…

Describes nature and usefulness of process evaluation techniques, stressing their importance in understanding why and how drug treatment programs succeed and fail. Specific aspects of process evaluation discussed include topics for conducting such analyses, diverse data sources which should be accessed in thorough process evaluation, and decision…

Describes 10 components that are characteristic of effective assessment programs. Suggests that effective assessment programs are ones that have a recognized campus value in addition to satisfying the requirements established by external mandates. (RS)

Identifies strengths and weaknesses of the study of the Comprehensive Child Development Program and draws evaluative conclusions based on the analysis. Cites lack of stakeholder involvement and pilot studies as a weaknesses of the evaluation but notes the general quality of the effort. (SLD)

Implications of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 are discussed for evaluation involvement. Studies testing the theory underlying the act, that planning and performance measurement will improve program management and effectiveness, are described. Experiences of several federal agencies suggest that this underlying theory may be…

Presents an algorithm for integrating evaluative concerns of cost effectiveness, equity, quality, and sustainability in program evaluation and offers suggestions for refining the system of measurement and analysis. (SLD)

Teacher collaboration has become an legitimate service delivery option for students with disabilities and students at risk for learning and/or behavior problems. Notwithstanding its growing popularity, there is little empirical research on the fidelity of implementation of intervention plans that stem from professional collaboration. The modest…

Government and public focus on accountability for program outcomes, combined with practical and ethical constraints on experimental designs, make nonexperimental studies of social programs an increasingly common approach to producing information on program performance. In this paper, we compare the effectiveness of alternative nonexperimental…

The purpose of this article is to put in the hands of researchers, practitioners, and policy makers a powerful framework for building and studying the effects of high-quality assessment and accountability programs. The framework is illustrated through a description and analysis of the assessment and accountability program in the School District of…