This report describes s a study that examined how seven groups in Edmonton, Alberta, used a community development model called Community Capacity Building and Asset Mapping. The first three sections discuss the model's development and purpose and the methodology used to examine its application in community planning. Presented next are the results…

Discusses how counselors can successfully execute the responsibilities of a service coordinator to enhance counseling effectiveness. Describes three phases of service coordination: information retrieval, information assessment, and information administration. (RC)

This article discusses the need for more accurate and complete input data and field verification of the various models of air pollutant dispension. Consideration should be given to changing the form of air quality standards based on enhanced dispersion modeling techniques. (Author/RE)

Bryn Mawr College is developing a data gathering workbook to aid small institutions in the analysis of financial options. Growth-rate balance and data gathering and analysis workbooks are described along with four problem areas: growth-rate imbalance, asset depletion, control indicators, and quality shifts. (MLW)

The proper function of the computer is as a filter to suppress irrelevant data and highlight critical data, to make short-term projections, to display the dynamics of system interactions, and to allow managers and teachers to interact with models of the system. Outlines the components of such a system. (Author/IRT)

Factors involved in pre-planned and post-planned evaluation of program effectiveness are compared: (1) reliability and cost of data; (2) internal and external validity; (3) obtrusiveness and threat; (4) goal displacement and program direction. A model to help program administrators decide which approach is more appropriate is presented. (Author/MH)

Seven articles discuss aspects of transaction log analysis, including introduction and definitions; history and development; components of an ideal logging facility; research methodologies; applications to a variety of library functions; practical and logical limits of the methodology; and future developments needed to enhance successful use of…

Although the field of statistics is receiving increasing recognition in the media and everyday life, concern continues about the quality of statistical education and statistical analysis and the application of statistical methods. This paper focuses on three areas of concern: (1) the quality of data, especially missing data; (2) the interpretation…

This study analyzed 13 national datasets and evaluated their utility for addressing policy questions concerning college faculty availability (such as minority hiring, affirmative action, supply and demand in specific disciplines) and the overproduction of Ph.D.s. Each dataset was evaluated for its utility in modeling faculty availability. Also…

This paper was developed for the Illinois State Board of Education as part of a year long project to address the issue of personnel shortages in special education. Recommendations from a number of state committees and professional organizations were analyzed and additional input obtained from various professionals in regular and special education.…

This briefing report on program evaluation notes that the new wave of family-centered, integrated services is forcing the field to rethink its methodology, and that the move towards outcome-driven reforms requires carefully defined outcomes and ways to measure them. Highlights of a seminar meeting held to explore these issues are included. The…

This book describes a structure for understanding and managing the process and options for gathering and analyzing data on needs. The three-phase model that forms the basis for the structure grew from both theory and practical experience in many settings. The focus is on assessing the needs of organizations rather than individuals. It is stressed…

The medical model of reading diagnosis, which presumes something is wrong with the reader that can be diagnosed and remediated, needs to be reexamined. The ability to use writing as a communication tool, for example, must be considered as part of diagnosis if the purpose is to determine how literate someone is. Diagnostic tasks must also reflect…

Institutions of higher education can use competitive intelligence (CI) techniques to become more relevant to their communities. In Stepping Forward as Stewards of Place the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) provides a model for public engagement that emphasizes internal strategic planning, implementation, and…

The manual presents 12 papers summarizing research on the effectiveness of the Kansas Individualized Curriculum Sequencing (KICS) model for severely handicapped students. The first three papers examine the effects of distributed practice schedules on the learning, generalization and initiation of students. The use of distributed practice, an…