The terms "rigor" and "relevance" most often surface in discussions of methodological adequacy. Assessing epistemological relevance is equivalent to answering the question, "Is this particular research question worth asking at all?" Epistemological rigor refers to the properties of a "researchable" problem.…

This manual is designed to benefit those interested in the improvement of small programs, focusing on techniques used to check on a program's goal achievement. A small program is defined, for the purpose of this manual, as one that affects a limited number of students (less than 100) and is taught by a limited staff (5 or less) with limited or no…

In evaluation of the Elementary Secondary Education Act Title I compensatory education programs, both the federal reporting mandate (using formal evaluation) and local needs (using informal evaluation) must be served. In Chicago Public Schools, computerized processing of standardized test scores allows the reporting requirement to be met with a…

The phenomenological point of view is described, particularly the use of multiple realities as employed by sociologists to increase phenomenological understanding. Examples of applying the multiple reality approach to education are discussed. Part One is an introduction to the theme, "Phenomenology, Multiple Realities and Educational…

A model for the evaluation of educational programs is presented, consisting of a seven-step procedure for determining objectives, developing the assessment data, analyzing the data, and presenting it in a meaningful format. The first step is to determine the objectives for the program and enumerate them in a meaningful, measurable fashion; second,…

Evaluation is the process of determining the extent to which specified objectives have been reached. As a professional tool, it is used to (1) appraise the achievements of individual students; (2) diagnose the learning problems of an individual student or class in order to devise future teaching strategies; and (3) appraise the effectiveness of…

This paper describes a language arts program assessment project in the Seattle schools. Among the topics discussed are the following: the history of the project; developing and implementing the model; a description of the model; relating goals, objectives, and instruments; observations from project participants; and the project critique. While the…

Five definitions of evaluation are considered: (1) evaluation as measurement; (2) evaluation as the process used to determine how well prespecified objectives have been achieved in measurable performance; (3) evaluation as professional judgement; (4) evaluation as public opinion; and (5) evaluation as tax dollars. The advantages and disadvantages…

This paper discusses the development and design of an analysis model for governance of teacher centers organized in consortium form. A consortium is descirbed as "an organization of autonomous bodies or individuals which bond together by some relatively formal agreement to secure some benefit." The consortium generally functions in a collaborative…

The basic design for the national evaluation of the Follow Through program is presented, and some of the related issues of analysis are considered. The design, as it now stands, presents many difficulties for analysis. These analysis issues are seen to include the following: (1) What should be the unit of analysis?; (2) How is the effect of a…

The report is concerned with the activities of a 3 year pilot project of an educational evaluation and programing unit for children with auditory disorders. The educational evaluation process, the programs and problems of implementation, dissemination, other project activities and an evaluation of the project are discussed. Appendixes cover such…

A major activity of any ESEA Title III project is evaluation. This paper suggests evaluation methods especially appropriate to such projects by applying a systems approach to the evaluation design. Evaluation as a system is divided into three subsystems: (1) baseline evaluation, which describes conditions as they exist before project treatment;…

The term "evaluation" emerged in the 1930's to describe a broader and somewhat more pragmatic type of inquiry than had been associated with the word "measurement." Examples suggest two main lines of development: (1) An emphasis on the specification of objectives and their attainment, and (2) an emphasis on evaluation as a cooperative process…

The results of a major study on the topic of evaluation and decision making which was conducted at the Center for the Study of Evaluation are presented. The purpose of this paper is to explain what we know about independent educational accomplishment audits and the manner in which they have been carried out. As part of the larger study cited…

A model for the evaluation of educational products based on experience with development of three such products is described. The purpose of the evaluation model is to indicate the flow of evaluation activity as products undergo development. Evaluation is given Stufflebeam's definition as the process of delineating, obtaining, and providing useful…