A 2-day seminar, attended by 35 physicians and others concerned with graduate physician education, was held to review the state-of-the-art of evaluation, current techniques, and effectiveness of programs. Presentations during the opening session were: (1) "The State of the Art of Evaluation" by Ray Elling, (2) "Defining Objectives in Evaluation"…

Successful and widely adopted reading programs have similar characteristics that contribute to their effectiveness. (Author/MLF)

Historically, primary prevention (affecting communities, environments, and the interaction of the two) has been proven to be a far superior promoter of public health than has secondary prevention (affecting the individual). (MJB)

Discusses the problems of relapse with alcoholics and other drug abusers from three perspectives: client-related variables, common erroneous beliefs and myths held by professionals regarding relapse, and treatment system problems that may contribute to relapse. Offers proposed solutions and describes a relapse prevention model. (Author/ABB)

Considers strategies to improve problem solving, especially at stages where roadblocks are likely to occur and which may account for problems experienced with andragogy. Following a brief look at the implications of adult developmental theory for andragogy, this article examines "lateral thinking" as one way to increase the effectiveness…

A training program for members of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce Training Advisory Committee, which is 80 percent small business, incorporated the following features: (1) four hours in the morning; (2) Friday morning programs; (3) $35 per program; (4) series; and (5) low fees to trainers. (JOW)

This study extended the research done by Conrad and Blackburn (1985) on program quality in regional universities. Researchers increased the number of departments and disciplines studied. Indicates that traditional indicators of quality may be valid, but they carry a different weight at regional universities. (RB)

Pilot program on stress management, consisting of eight weekly group sessions, was implemented with 12 respiratory therapists. Findings support view that variety of stress management techniques can be effective in enhancing emotional functioning. Discusses practical problems and recommendations for stress management in a group worksite program.…

Contends that the primary focus of social welfare management should be to optimize effective services to clients. Addresses several dimensions of effectiveness-oriented management practice as well as some of the common problems encountered by administrators who seek to make client outcomes the primary criterion of agency success. (Author)

Investigated the frequent but previously untested assertion that utility analysis can improve communication and decision making about human resource management programs by examining a performance feedback intervention in a small fast-food store. Results suggest substantial payoffs from performance feedback, though the store's owner-managers had…

Management must manage more cost effectively if it is to survive; every function must demonstrate its value-adding performance. Procedures such as training value analysis help make decisions about the value of programs and improve the return on investment of the training function and the organization it serves. (JOW)

Advisors of more successful Illinois Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters did the following: (1) were active members in professional associations, (2) were former members of FFA, (3) included FFA in instruction, (4) attended state conventions, (5) publicized FFA activities, and (6) strongly supported supervised occupational experience…

The extent to which 20 individuals with various levels of mental retardation could exhibit, without individual teacher training, the basic skills necessary for using an interactive video system was determined. Results suggest that with no pretraining, interactive video cannot be assumed to be useful with this population. (Author/CL)

The paper proposes a methodological expansion in evaluation research--an eco-behavioral approach. Implications of using the eco-behavioral approach in the evaluation of preschool programs for the disabled are discussed. This methodology is said to allow both determination of early intervention effectiveness and specification of factors responsible…

The article describes a program model that provides ongoing supported employment within a normal industrial setting to six persons previously judged to have severe disabilities. After one year, employees have dramatically increased earnings and productivity over previous earnings and national averages, and public costs have declined to one-third…