Offers practical suggestions for minimizing 14 problems that frequently occur when curriculum programs are evaluated. Timing evaluations, evaluating appropriate factors, making meaningful comparisons, meeting skepticism, selecting tests, selecting evaluators, assessing evaluation results, and maintaining credibility are among the concerns…

Discusses the need for curriculum evaluation in mathematics as well as in other disciplines. Also discusses methods and techniques of curriculum evaluation, some of which are particularly relevant to evaluating mathematics curricula. (Author/JN)

Suggests a common format for analyzing and evaluating learning systems which takes into account costs, skill requirements and sequence, instructional techniques and requirements, motivational factors, and evaluation. (RAO)

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)

A tongue-in-cheek look at methods used for curriculum development by many colleges and universities compares the process to two others: destruction of trees and trial by ordeal. Forests are destroyed to produce large quantities of paper for printing of curricula in many versions, followed by Kafkaesque committee scrutiny. (MSE)

This article asks and answers the following three questions concerning curriculum evaluation: (1) why evaluate curricula; (2) if curriculum evaluation can be justified, then what are useful curriculum evaluation questions; and (3) given the constraints of time, money, and expertise, how can useful curriculum evaluation be conducted? (DCS)

The organization and operation of a flexible, modular core dental curriculum used at the University of Florida are described, experiences with 10 years of its use are outlined, and further refinements are projected. (MSE)

This document was designed to assist members of a program review team in conducting a program review and to assist school staff and parents in conducting a self-study in preparation for a formal review. The program review process is designed to evaluate the effects of curriculum, instructional methodologies, and effectiveness strategies on…

The author suggests a simple three-stage model as a guideline for systematic curriculum evaluation: evaluation of goals; collection, organization, and analysis of data; and decision making. (Author)

A general framework consisting of four curricular dimensions (content, process, product, learning environment) and criteria for developing and judging appropriate curricula for gifted students are presented with adaptations for gifted preschoolers. Examples of teaching activities and techniques appropriate for gifted preschool students can be…

Discusses efforts by the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) to develop introductory college level courses in geographic information systems (GIS). Explores a year-long evaluation of the curriculum development project. Describes the objectives, components, and results of the evaluation. (SG)

This study, which resulted in a revised music curriculum for the Snohomish, Washington, School District, addressed the problem of relating the measurement and evaluation of students in music courses to established student learning objectives. Part 1 establishes student learning objectives based on a proposed curriculum for a comprehensive K-12…

Reports a study of the coordination, control, and assessment procedures employed by superintendents in effective school districts. Types of mechanisms and the extent of their use in directing activities are reported. Findings suggest the existence of linkages between the managerial level and technical core in these school districts. Thirty-five…

A study evaluated a four-year undergraduate curriculum in occupational therapy based on the idea that qualitative differences in the way students approach learning, transferred to the group level, can help diagnose structural defects in a curriculum. Results and methodology are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Reports on a classroom project in which college-level psychology students developed a institutionwide course ratings questionnaire. Describes the data gathering, item development, and pilot testing phases of the project. Concludes that the students learned about tests and measurements by doing the project and that the institution benefited from…