In this account of the drafting of the Evaluation Research Society (ERS) Standards, the author notes that the committee was concerned not only with a broad range of evaluation applications, but also with different forms of evaluation. The absence of specificity in the standards reflects the committee's steering between opposing views. (Author/LC)

This article focuses on the management of federally funded evaluation research by (1) discussing aspects of building an in-house evaluation team; (2) defining possible contractor/client relationships, and (3) considering contractor/practitioner team rapport. (Author/GK)

The variety of contexts, the politics of each situation, and the availability of resources all dictate variations in assessing outcomes. Seven major principles of program evaluation are considered, along with a cautionary note to the ambitious who expect large program effects. (Author)

The author proposes a role model for evaluators to be added to the numerous existing models. He presents the evaluator as an artist/painter/musician, suggesting that the evaluator's perception of an educational program's effectiveness can be expressed by a single "painting," rather than by a lengthy written report. (GDC)

The article reviews basic behavioral program evaluation designs, and suggests how they might be effectively integrated into special education programs serving handicapped (and particularly learning disabled) children. It is concluded that the techniques of behavioral design, coupled with the essentials of teaching, enable the special education…

The author briefly discusses the merits of various evaluation methods with special reference to evaluating the effectiveness of training programs. (BP)

Aims to assist evaluators working with an institutional review board (IRB). Asserts that evaluators must accept the legitimacy of IRB review and learn about requirements and pressures even as they educate the IRB about social science methodology and empirically demonstrable risks. (SLD)

Discusses ethical challenges faced by evaluators, especially those who have gotten into problems while conducting the evaluation. Introduces the other articles in this theme section. (SLD)

Discusses the evaluation by Margaret Mead of the first Salzburg Seminar, an educational initiative undertaken to increase global understanding by broadening the perspectives of future leaders. Also describes Mead's evaluation methods. (SLD)

Comments on the evaluation by Margaret Mead of the first Salzburg Seminar (1947). Notes the strength and clarity of Mead's evaluation report, which was written without the aid of the many tools on which today's evaluators draw. (SLD)

Presents an evaluation of a secondary counseling program of a school district. Discusses steps involved in planning the evaluation and an analysis of counselor interviews, counselor log sheet data, principal interviews and parent focused group interviews. (Contains 20 references.) (GCP)

A study of training evaluation activity and challenges in 77 Kuwaiti organizations found that most respondents evaluate their programs only occasionally through the use of questionnaires. Most use the Kilpatrick model for evaluation and the most common level of evaluation is reaction type. (Contains 24 references.) (JOW)

Summarizes efforts to strengthen program evaluation capacity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviews the circumstances that triggered an interest in building this capacity in public health and the principles and procedures used by the working group charged to achieve this goal. (Author/SLD)

Discusses this era of transition in program evaluation, which is marked by growing cooperation between government and civil society, and suggests participatory program evaluation as an approach to lessen undue influence by any one partner and promote a positive culture of evaluation. (SLD)

Describes the conceptual frameworks and methods used to evaluate a multisite, regional capacity-development project in Latin America and the Caribbean. Discusses the challenges facing capacity development and its evaluation and illustrates some of the procedures used. (SLD)