Among 15 conclusions and recommendations resulting from the study of Florida State funding of private postsecondary institutions are the following: (1) contracting with independent institutions for existing academic programs should continue to serve the state as a cost-effective and efficient mechanism; (2) the policies and procedures for…

This report describes the goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes of a project developed at the University of New Mexico Children's Psychiatric Hospital's Mimbres School to demonstrate the use of the microcomputer as a tool for establishing positive communication between emotionally-disturbed children and their parents. The project was…

A matrix model for the collection, management, and utilization of data was developed at Eastern Iowa Community College District, (Davenport, Iowa) for evaluating institutional effectiveness. The model was examined in relation to various assessment instruments and the evaluation of functional areas and programs. Surveys of six different target…

An alternative model, the Program of Research and Evaluation for Public Schools (PREPS), provides specialized educational services to local public schools. PREPS is funded directly by member school districts with additional funds from Mississippi State University. This sponsorship allows each member school to select, design, and conduct research…

This guide is intended to assist those responsible for publicizing local adult literacy and basic skills programs. The first section discusses the elements of good publicity. Outlined next are points to consider when determining what a program needs from publicity and how to get the desired results. The next portion of the guide covers seven main…

Addressing the difficulty encountered by many vocational students in narrowing, focusing, developing, and structuring their ideas for technical writing projects, a computer program was designed to provide these students with a simple, time-saving method of brainstorming and organizing their thoughts. By asking thought-generating questions…

The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) implemented mail registration for all continuing students in spring 1986. In fall 1986, a comprehensive evaluation of the registration system was conducted to assess the impact of mail registration on student enrollment, to determine the impact of mailing class schedules to students' homes, to…

In May 1986, the Board of Regents of Higher Education in Massachusetts accepted a report of a statewide program review in postsecondary business administration education. This critique of the program review report focuses specifically on the board-adopted requirement that public senior institutions seek accreditation from the American Assembly of…

Research has shown that cooperative learning rather than competitive behavior enhances students' achievement, self-esteem, and satisfaction while reducing performance anxiety. Although cooperation within a small group results in greater productivity and member satisfaction, it should be considered only as a means to an end, not an end in itself. A…

The theory underlying qualitative research design and a specific formative evaluation study that includes qualitative methods are discussed. The focus is the data analyses methods and procedures employed in the evaluation study, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the inquiry. Qualitative research focuses on the idiographic and operates on…

Given the wide individual differences among any group of students and since measurements are always accompanied by errors, the question of how tests should be used in assessing the quality of an educational program is considered. The ways in which educators have dealt with this problem are reviewed, from the systematic examinations of the question…

New York City's Early Grade Improvement Program (EGIP) was initiated in the 1985-86 school year as an effort to improve pupil achievement in the primary grades through a reduction of class size. Schools without sufficient space to reduce class size through creation of new classes were given EGIP funds to provide paraprofessional assistance to…

This perspective on how testing and evaluation data are used and could be used for school improvement is based partly on the experience of the Austin (Texas) Public Schools and partly on their goals. Four conditions are necessary for the effective use of evaluation information: (1) real need; (2) trust in the evaluators and in the information…

During the 1986-87 school year the Johnson O'Malley program of the Albuquerque (New Mexico) Public Schools provided supplemental counseling to 532 Indian students in the district by 5 certified counselors, 3 of whom concentrated their efforts on 5 target high schools. One itinerant counselor served 128 elementary and middle school students,…

This art study was conducted in the spring of 1986, during the evaluation segment of Albuquerque (New Mexico) Public Schools' (APS) 6-year curriculum planning cycle. Archival data were collected; large numbers of students, parents, teachers, and administrators were surveyed; secondary level classrooms were visited; and a review of the literature…