Methodological deficiencies inherent in expert-novice reading research make it impossible to draw inferences about curriculum change. First, comparisons of intact groups are often used as a basis for making causal inferences about how observed characteristics affect behaviors. While comparing different groups is not by itself a useless activity,…

Surveyed school psychologists (N=127) practicing under three types of state criteria used in identifying children as seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) to determine the legal accuracy of their identifications of 12 behavioral descriptions of specific disorders. Found considerable differences in the perceptions of school psychology personnel.…

Examined mental health service providers' (N=80) evaluation of deaf patients in various programs. Found staff at specialized inpatient mental health programs for the deaf had more positive attitudes than staff serving the general population. Found mental health staff evaluated some deaf patients differently from hearing patients with respect to…

In compliance with California's Proposition 10 (Children and Families First Act), county commissions are being asked to monitor what differences the family support programs they are funding are making in the lives of the children and families they serve. Each commission has the responsibility of selecting a set of indicators to measure the impact…

This digest describes some of the basic logic-of-evaluation skills and some of the basic methodological skills that need to be mastered in order to practice the art and science of evaluation. Some topics from the logic of evaluation that must be dealt with include understanding : (1) the differences and connections between evaluation and other…

Discusses problems in measuring science students' achievement. The amount of learning achieved over a period of time is termed "value-added." Presents how a science department might demonstrate the extent to which it has value-added through the education of pupils. Highlights value-added analysis in science departments. (ASK)

Presents an overview of problems associated with assessment of practical work in science. Identifies two theoretical positions that present teaching and assessment flow. Examines some available evidence on possible assessment methods that articulate with these two positions. Considers a position adopted by the United Kingdom National Curriculum in…

This theme issue is an attempt to improve graphical production by evaluators. The graphs that are described are solutions to problems in communicating evaluation findings. Eleven chapters and a conclusion discuss common and recurring problems for graphs for discovery or presentation, and for evaluators or evaluation audiences. (SLD)

A survey was conducted to catalog the assessments used by 125 practitioners to evaluate the problem behaviors displayed by clients with mental retardation. Results indicate most practitioners rated functional assessment procedures as extremely or very useful. Findings are discussed with emphasis on the difficulties in conducting functional…

Discusses why, as Congress prepared to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, colleges and universities should resist federal efforts at one-size-fits-all accountability. (EV)

Findings from an outcome evaluation of the California AIDS Education and Prevention Program, the largest of its kind in the country, are presented. Specific programs suffered from design defects that made it impossible to accurately determine their effectiveness. Attitude and behavior change was not properly addressed by the programs. (TJH)

Kirkpatrick's highly popular model of training evaluation criteria proposed four ascending, causally related, and positively intercorrelated levels: reactions, learning, behavior, and results. This article examines the validity of the three problematic assumptions of the model, the frequency of each level in published evaluation studies,…

Problems associated with peer observation and evaluation of teaching are examined, and practical ways to compensate for and overcome them in order to achieve the benefits of this form of evaluation are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Serious issues in empowerment evaluation are articulated to help ensure that this enthusiastically presented concept will not mislead evaluators and result in lowering the field's professional standards. Analysis and recommendations are provided for the adoption, development, and implementation of an objectivist evaluation that conforms to…

Notes inconsistencies in drug abuse prevention research findings related to such issues as study design and methodology. Presents consensus recommendations made by drug abuse prevention researchers and practitioners who met at National Institute on Drug Abuse in 1989. Includes specific recommendations directed to modifying prevention approaches;…