Presents results of a literature review, organized the Milstein and Cotton evaluation capacity (B. Milstein and D. Cotton, 2000) framework, detailing and analyzing the contextual factors and system features that impact the evaluation capacity of school counseling programs. Discusses implications for evaluation in other settings. (SLD)

Describes the chronological development of student services program evaluation at a mid-size, land grant institution. Claims committee process and survey results helped staff move from departmental focus to division-wide and institution-wide focus. Recommends others contemplating program evaluation will find the chronology applicable to their…

Developed method for empirically evaluating functioning of peer-based alcohol abuse prevention organization. Used results to design intervention to improve organization's functioning by increasing student control, enhancing cohesiveness, and providing training in leadership skills and alcohol use. Reassessment one year later indicated that…

Criticisms of traditional approaches to the assessment of student abilities and instructional program design are reviewed and alternative, dynamic approaches are suggested. A major feature of the suggested approaches is assistance to influence student performance and thus reveal the potential for change. The approaches are categorized and examined…

Progress in evaluation of dispute mediation efforts and results of a survey of directors of 95 mediation programs in 25 states are discussed. Thirty-nine directors provided their evaluation instruments. Results provide insights into purposes/contents of evaluations, compliance rates, satisfaction with mediators, mediator effectiveness, and…

Describes a training program evaluation instrument--the Training Impact Questionnaire--which assesses the application of a specific skill to work tasks. Suggests ways of using the questionnaire in communication training programs. (MM)

Different dimensions of evaluation utilization and evaluator strategies for stimulating use are discussed, in terms of designing a formal evaluation utilization system. While the need exists to improve the design process, there is no simple formula. Evaluators should see part of their function as creating a repository of knowledge. (SLD)

The five articles of this special section focus on the quantitative-qualitative debate in program evaluation. This section focuses on philosophical aspects of program evaluation, making it clear that the issues are far more complex than the simple quantitative-qualitative dichotomy described by T. S. Kuhn (1970) implies. (SLD)

Discusses the actual evaluation procedures of magnet schools from several standpoints, including evaluation methodology, using actual evaluations, and new evaluation research areas. (SR)

Highlights need for collaboration, integration, and expansion in designing evaluation models for career development programs. Outlines fledgling evaluation model that began to emerge at Symposium on Issues and Solutions for Evaluating Career Development Programs and Services. Notes that model addresses dimensions critical in evaluation of career…

Evaluators vary in their propensity to make direct valuative judgments of program worth. The decision to include recommendations with a report or provide merely descriptive evaluation depends on individuals' perspectives concerning the nature of reality, truth and values, human agency, and informational utility. (SLD)

An analysis of apparent program failure should determine whether the fault lies with the program model, implementation strategy, expectations, or evaluation methods. The evaluation should be planned before completing and carrying out the program design. (SK)

The role of program evaluation is examined in relation to policy analysis. Program evaluation is most persuasive as a component of the policy process when its role is clearly understood. Clarity can be achieved by using the program mandate to guide evaluation and by including practitioners in evaluation model developments. (SLD)

Total quality management interventions and assessments must be more theory grounded and contingency based to advance understanding of its applicability, potential, and pitfalls in the public sector. Two-step and stage-state evaluative models can be used to ameliorate its shortcomings. (JOW)

Describes an application of multilevel modeling to repeated measures as part of an evaluation of Reading Recovery in 22 schools in England and multivariate models are applied to the within and between school aspects of the design. Results show Reading Recovery to be effective in the short term, but not the long term. (SLD)