This module underscores the need for evaluation in order to collect baseline data to monitor progress and to make decisions about needed changes in rural school career guidance programs. Evaluation is a process that occurs during planning and is used to monitor progress, and, later, to assess overall program impact. After a delineation of commonly held negative perceptions of evaluation, the definition of evaluation and the nature of the evaluation "beast" are discussed. With extensive audience participation, a matrix of the major evaluation elements to be considered in evaluating the planning phase of program development/implementation is developed. Using two handouts included in the module, participants are instructed to work in small groups to develop a similar matrix for evaluating the planning of a staff development program. Evaluation concerns explored include issues such as: who are the users of evaluative information and what are their information needs; strategies for collecting and reporting that information; phases of programs (planning, tryout, implementation), and sample evaluation considerations for planning and implementation phases. Numerous evaluation instruments and references for others are provided. (NEC)