Evaluation within human service organizations is defined in terms of accepted evaluation criteria, with reasonable expectations shown and structured into a model of systematic evaluation practice. The evaluation criteria of program effort, performance, adequacy, efficiency and process mechanisms are discussed, along with measurement information…

Designed to provide a systematic means of analyzing the whole process of planning, implementation, and evaluation, these guidelines (1) suggest how national policies on user training may be related to national information policies in general, (2) suggest lines of action for the achievement of a national policy on user training, and (3) give advice…

An alternative is proposed to the legally required uniform procedures and criteria for reporting the results of Elementary Secondary Education Act Title I projects. It is suggested that Congress is unlikely to respond to nationwide impact data on the effectiveness of Title I even when such data are available. It is further proposed that the RMC…

Reviewing five large-scale investigations of educational dissemination and change, this report synthesizes and consolidates their findings and implications around an issue of common interest to policymakers, program administrators, and researchers: what can be learned from these studies about processes and procedures that facilitate knowledge…

This final annual evaluation of project ADMIRE describes the progress made in improving educational decisionmaking in a 5-county rural-urban area by the systematic collection, organization, and reporting of data about project schools and their populations. The five sections of the report (1) describe the organization of the report and the…

A NATIONAL SURVEY WITH A CASE STUDY APPROACH WAS UNDERTAKEN TO DETERMINE THE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES OF BROADCASTING A PUBLIC AFFAIRS, EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION (ETV) PROGRAM. THIS ETV PROGRAM, A SERIES OF FILMS AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS ON THE PROBLEMS, DILEMMAS, AND PROMISE OF MODERN URBAN LIFE, WAS DESIGNED AND TELEVISED IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE…

Activities of the California State Department of Education related to the Early Childhood Education Program were audited, specifically: (1) overall data management and processing; (2) information quality for the evaluation of program impact; (3) treatment of standardized test data; and (4) procedures for expansion funding and termination. (CP)

Elementary school principals rated attitudes and behaviors concerning the utilization of student achievement data: (1) commitment to influencing student achievement; (2) control in utilizing student achievement data; (3) use of data to evaluate programs and teachers; (4) effectiveness and accountability in use of data; and (5) principals' own…

Variables that affect the use of knowledge gained by educators at workshops were investigated. Knowledge use is significantly associated with: (1) school climate variables such as staff treatment, goal direction, and problem solving; and (2) workshop features such as clear explanations, job relevance, and amount and qualities of instruction. (FG)

In simulated decision-making situations in a community mental health center, three types of information were studied and rated: political; cost-benefit, and statistical. Only cost-benefit information was rated as significantly influencing administrators' decisions. (MH)

A strategy is presented for using media exposure to increase evaluation use, including reasons for using media, suggestions about whether to use mass (print and electronic) or specialized (interest-group oriented trade) media, and 10 recommendations for effective use. Program change can be accelerated when media are used effectively. (SLD)

The article proposes that the key to tracking and evaluating the academic progress of college students, particularly at complex institutions, is development of a longitudinal tracking system with flexibility to support a diverse community of users and applications. Considerations for efficient maintenance and effective use of such a system are…

A major statewide survey was conducted to establish comprehensive, baseline information regarding arts education in the public school districts of Arizona. This report documents the findings and serves as a standard against which to measure future changes as well as a guide or starting point for responsible planning in order to effect intelligent,…

Methods of identifying effective special education practices are analyzed to help practitioners identify and adopt such practices. The contents of this guide include a flowchart for effective practice identification (EPI), an analysis of decision-making steps in this process, and two examples of identification procedures. The decision-making steps…

State and local education agencies increasingly have to spend a larger percentage of their time collecting, aggregating, and reporting information to federal agencies. This report suggests that the federal evaluation strategy to describe program implementation as well as impact is usually ill considered, inappropriate and of questionable utility.…