Needs assessment is a systematic procedure by which educational needs are identified and ranked in order of priority. The process involves the use of both objective (achievement test scores) and subjective (attitudinal measures) information to identify and rank educational needs. A procedure to guide the needs assessment effort includes various activities such as the identification of goals, identification of objectives, priorization of objectives, assessment of actual status, determination of discrepancies, and priorization of needs. Needs assessment is designed to improve school program planning. In order to make sure that the process aids school planning efforts to maximum effectiveness a continuous evaluation of the assessment process itself is recommended. Criteria and questions for evaluation focus on the areas of process, product, participation, management, communication, and budget. The questions posed for each area can assist project personnel in evaluating the effectiveness and level of accomplishment of their assessment process. A needs assessment can be focused on various levels of the educational system: at the program level, it can focus on revisions of curriculum offerings or projects supported by state or federal funding, and at the instructional level, it can help to determine current learner status in regard to desired learner outcome. (Author/AM)