A comprehensive resource for program assessment in student services, this volume provides practitioners with an overview of the what and why of program evaluation and access to the tools to design and carry out an assessment project, communicate the results, and implement the findings. In Part 1, "The Context for Assessment in Student Affairs,"…

A rationale is presented for the systematic evaluation of gifted/talented education programs, citing the consequences of failure to carry out such evaluation. Historically, evaluation of gifted programs was not emphasized, as the evaluation process involved experimental designs, control groups, and parametric statistics which could only be…

The article examines service provisions for preschool-aged handicapped students in terms of two legal issues: what constitutes an appropriate program in terms of the intensity/frequency of program length; and how the least restrictive environment provision should be applied to this population. (Author/DB)

The paper suggests that schools often jump into gifted education programs impulsively without adequate planning and curriculum construction. It is asserted that gifted programing must adapt to its school and host community. The contributions of organizational development training in program development are noted. Curricular construction is…

The paper maintains that impact evaluation studies of programs serving handicapped infants and preschoolers should be restricted to scientifically defendable investigations. Specific types of impact studies and an evaluation process are suggested. It is suggested that program leaders should focus evaluation activities on the status of project…

A set of key variables the change interventionist might use to improve institutional performance is proposed, and change controlling elements of colleges are identified and discussed. (Author/JEG)

An approach to enhancing program quality in educational institutions through program mapping is presented in this report. First, the objective of program mapping is specified as a means to evaluate and clarify the learning outcomes of a college's educational programs; and its use as a graphic representation of the interdependent relationships…

Physical education contributes to the physical, mental, and emotional health of young people. Administrators must recognize these contributions and ensure an effective program by evaluating and retraining teachers to keep abreast of the recent knowledge explosion in physical education. (CJH)

Proposes that a critical approach to evaluation in environmental education is needed to adequately address current epistemological, ethical, and procedural dilemmas. Offers perspectives on the scientific/analytic and critical evaluation schemes in respect to their epistemology, locus of control, and interests served. Emphasizes the socially…

Identifies ways in which remedial/developmental programs are like and unlike other academic programs for evaluation purposes. Offers a four-stage evaluation model representing four different levels of activity and points at which evaluation can be conducted. (DMM)

Describes the six-year evolution of a comprehensive evaluation plan used to enhance a nursing program. Includes the plan with specific questions, deadlines, and documentation procedures. The plan provides a rational basis for improvements, orients newcomers, and lets everyone know what their evaluation responsibilities are. (JOW)

This paper examines various areas related to industry's role in and awareness of the need to respect environmental considerations, both from the perception of the factors relevant to staying in business in the longer term, and the regulations and requirements formulated by governments, often in cooperation with the industrial sector concerned.…

Recent concern about academic quality and costs has resulted in growing criticism of the transfer function of the community college. This criticism has arisen, in part, from the evaluations of university-based researchers who have argued that a very small percentage of community college students succeed in transferring to four-year institutions…

Discusses program evaluation concepts and methods and how they can be applied to children's library services. What program evaluation is not is explained, as well as three levels of evaluation, including a variety of "threats" to the possible effectiveness of a program. Examples of program evaluation instruments are appended. (EM)

The article provides an overview of benefit cost analysis and its limitations and reviews the applications of benefit-cost analysis within vocational programs for persons with severe disabilities. Recommendations are made to assist state and program developers in choosing among program alternatives. (Author/DB)