An institutional development audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a program, its operations, and its people. Information is analyzed to assess: institutional mission, personnel and organizational structure, financial resources, program management, communication, and overall program effectiveness and efficiency. (MLW)

Institutions are turning to marketing to combat the trends of declining enrollments, decreasing applicant pools, diminishing interest in traditional degrees, competition for students, and increasing costs. A marketing audit can analyze an institution's strengths and needs. (MLW)

Gives examples of how several companies are using computers in training programs and describes computer-assisted instruction and computer-managed instruction. Discusses tutorial use of computers and how computers can be used indirectly to manage training. Elements of computerized training such as standardization, flexibility, quality, security,…

The response of the Kitchener-Waterloo (Ontario) community to the Indochinese refugee movement, in which key community workers decided to use a community development approach to meet resettlement needs, is examined. Advantages and disadvantages of this approach are discussed, and the Kitchener-Waterloo experience is analyzed in terms of its…

A performance contingent reward system was developed for federal employees in the purchase division of a naval shipyard. Rewards were financial incentives provided to individual civil service employees who performed above standard. A description of the system and an evaluation of its effectiveness in increasing productivity and saving costs are…

This article outlines major aspects of the planning of large conferences. These major aspects are a well-planned and well-structured organizational system and a detailed budget. Although conferences sponsored by voluntary associations are emphasized, many of the same principles apply to other types of large conferences. (CT)

Three employee assistance programs designed to combat employee drug abuse are described and evaluated. The author also provides guidelines to consider when designing a substance abuse program: consult all departments that can make a contribution; keep abreast of technical support; and seek outside help if there is no help available within the…

This study was conducted to determine the current status of existing and potential cooperation and collaboration efforts among major employment training delivery systems. The study involved a survey of representatives from eight major delivery systems of employment training. Data analysis supplied information about each delivery system and…

The review examines evaluations of the efficacy of special education programs for mildly disabled children. The author suggests that serious methodological flaws make our present knowledge in this area very weak and proposes a methodology to address and overcome many of the limitations of previous research. (Author)

This review of evaluation findings on Dutch government policy successes and failures points to the influence of political culture on policy effectiveness. Public policy goal attainment is more likely when the government acts purposively, on the basis of relevant information, with power, and with integration. (Author/BS)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of two teaching methods to determine which is more effective in enhancing the knowledge base of participating nurses: the preceptor model embodies decentralized instruction by a member of the nursing staff, and the formal teaching model uses centralized teaching by the inservice education department. (JOW)

A review of research on evaluation of inservice and preservice teacher education notes that the lack of outcome data reflects a lack of consensus about the choice of evaluation measures. The use of both trainee and child performance measures is proposed, and an example of such an approach is given. (Author/CL)

This study evaluated a program that was designed to empower staff members form nonprofit organizations to design evaluations that help further their organizational mission, addressing the needs of their clients more effectively and efficiently. In 2001-200, the program was offered in five bimonthly, 2-day sessions. Twenty participants from 10…

Student achievement is central to the policy debate over charter schools. This paper reviews what is currently known about charter schools' impact on student achievement. After documenting the dearth of systematic empirical studies on the topic, the paper combines the findings of existing research into an overall impact rating, weighted by the…