Schools and agencies are under pressure to demonstrate program effectiveness and be cost accountable. Systems methodology, developed for use in other fields, may have the potential for program development in counseling. This article discusses some ways in which systems technology may be directly employed in a counseling setting. (Author)

The School Planning, Evaluation, and Communication System (SPECS) is an overall design for districtwide program assessment and development. It is both a way of interrelating planning and evaluation of individual programs and a way of comparing the outcomes of all district programs with the district's community-defined educational goals. Component…

Made up of five components, the School Planning, Evaluation, and Communication System (SPECS) is an approach to program planning and evaluation applicable to all instructional and noninstructional programs and activities. As such, it focuses on outcomes, processes, and inputs in a continuous cycle of planning, evaluation, and replanning. As well…