Discusses the need for systems of performance indicators (PI) to measure important aspects of university operations. Comparison of three models--production, student development, and systems--makes clear that model choice yields fundamentally different PI systems and, in turn, different contexts of relevance. Suggests a hybrid model, combining the…

Discusses the compelling need for clear standards, a knowledge base, training, and knowledge application in child custody evaluations. Recommends some substantive areas to be mastered when dealing with child custody within the legal context. Defines features of competence as well as ethical considerations relevant to this area of clinical…

Focuses on the integration of measuring outcomes specific to both after-school program improvement and the individual child as an overall plan for program improvement and evaluation. Discusses the current context for designing an evaluation-based after-school program, and provides examples of and tools for establishing and measuring desired…

Reviews risk assessment procedures and instruments used by child protection agencies. Discusses methodological deficiencies that limit the utility of instruments in predicting abusive behavior. Offers suggestions regarding the use of risk assessment in various decisions made during the course of child protection investigations. (BG)

Reports that the procedures for scholastic achievement in West Germany are established by the state administration, including judicial review of student evaluation. This judicial review is largely formal and not specific to schooling. Advocates the insertion of pedagogical criteria into the legal review of student assessment. (Author/LS)

Methods of using simplified time series analysis (STSA) in evaluating clinical programs are discussed. STSA assists in addressing problems of attrition/augmentation of subjects in programs with changing populations. Combining individually calculated "C" statistics in a simple aggregate analysis of restraint usage by nursing home staff…

All Liaison Committee on Medical Education accredited medical schools were surveyed to evaluate 12 aspects of self-studies used in medical education. Results for 101 respondents indicate methodological problems, including lack of guidelines, long periods without evaluation, failure to discuss results with school leadership, and a dearth of…

Examines the following possible sources of measurement error in pay analysis and proposes methods to alleviate the problems: (1) choice of the number and type of job factors; (2) method of assigning values to each job factor; (3) method of selecting factor weights; and (4) political modifications made when a plan is implemented. (JS)

A study involving 1,800 teachers and 180 headmasters assessed the nature and scope of activities and problems associated with implementing federally mandated continuous educational assessment activities at the primary school level in Nigeria. Findings indicate that continuous assessment is preferred to the narrower one-shot evaluation. (TJH)

The undergraduate major review, ideally consisting of an oral examination by faculty members, pre-review submission of a reflective, philosophically oriented paper, and submission of projects and instruction-related artifacts, adds to the repertoire of techniques for identifying the most appropriate candidate for teaching. (IAH)

Examines the structure, validity, and reliability of Guglielmino's self-directed learning readiness scale. Reviews related literature and refutes Guglielmino's thesis. Reports data derived from an administration of the scale that reveal problems in wording and show that the scale measures a homogeneous construct not associated with readiness for…

This sourcebook presents information about three types of federal decision makers who are frequent clients of evaluation: career government executives; political appointees; and congressional staff members. Differences among these decision makers are highlighted in seven articles, with emphasis on meeting client needs and process dimensions of…

The measurement of the performance of schools is complicated by the need to adjust for differences in input mixes. Schools may have a differential effect on the performance of different types of pupils. Rather than a single performance indicator, a system of indicators is needed. Characteristics of a good indicator system are identified. (KDP)

Reviews the place of rating scales in second-language measurement and summarizes some of the problems associated with them. Standard and alternative scales were studied. High agreement among raters can be achieved even under conditions not favorable to high interrater reliability. The full range of score categories are effectively utilized. (17…

Provides an example of how to evaluate an elementary school counseling program. The example described here is not all inclusive--such an evaluation would have been unmanageable. Evaluations become manageable when they are viewed as a continuous process and when specific services are isolated for scrutiny at different times. (RJM)