This article introduces a novel consultative method termed reconstitutive ethnography, considered useful for the in-depth description and analysis of the interaction between professional and client in the delivery of a health or social care program. The article contextualizes this method in process evaluation generally and specifically in what the…

Describes a $50 million research and development program begun by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to develop assessment instruments and prototypes for its teacher certification system. NBPTS's mission is to develop a national voluntary certification system for experienced teachers. (FMW)

This report, prepared by the Delinquency and School Environments Program of the Center for Social Organization of Schools, presents a set of standards for implementing Program Development Evaluation (PDE), a method for strengthening school organizational and research effectiveness. This report supplements an earlier account of the Program…

The DeKalb County School System, Georgia, has developed a unique leadership assessment program geared toward professional improvement through staff development based on assessed needs. The following three elements of this approach contribute to its uniqueness and address the three most common problems associated with assessments: (1) the…

It is proposed that a better understanding of campus climate may be a critical element in enhancing college and university diversity. Methodological issues associated with this form of institutional research are examined, and studies undertaken at Stanford University (California), the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of…

A brief introduction states the purpose of and summarizes the five presentations made at a Southwest Educational Development Laboratory Regional Exchange (SEDL/RX) Project conference and notes that the SEDL/RX publication, "Evaluation of Educational Software: A Guide to Guides," was produced for use as a reference guide by participants…

The Multiphased Need Assessment for Program Decisions (MAP) was designed to inform decision makers of a large urban school district concerning the need for early childhood programs in the community. The goals were to indicate the types of programs desired by the community; to bring together public school preschool experts; and to coordinate…

This review focuses on microcomputer software designed to improve the writing skills of students of English as a Second Language (ESL) at the college level. It presents a case for the use of computers in teaching ESL, provides guidelines and suggestions for evaluating or creating software and programs, and reviews representative software,…

This paper reports the status of the Profile of School Excellence (PRO-S/E) after three years use and the results of a second validation study. The PRO-S/E, used in over 20 school districts in six states, is a diagnostic system school districts use to determine strengths and weaknesses based on 11 characteristics of effective schools. Data is…

Reviews the Microelectronics Education Programme (MEP) from the director's point of view, including the origins and basic structure of the program which ran for six years. The collaboration of teachers, advisers, and trainers is emphasized, research and evaluation procedures are discussed, and learning processes, computer studies, and distribution…

Applications of the qualitative approach in the evaluation of special education and second language programs are addressed in this paper. Qualitative data are recommended for providing detailed descriptions of specific program elements, and can be obtained through interviews, observations, case studies, and ethnographic studies. Six evaluation…

Reported is a case study of environmental education students (19) at Johannesburg College of Education. The case study used a phenomenological approach. Reasons for the evaluation design and results of the evaluation are included. (CW)

An annotated list cites reports, books, and other resources for institutional research into campus diversity. It includes studies undertaken by individual institutions, often including assessment instruments, organizational resources, books and articles, and electronic mail lists. (MSE)

This document is a compendium of information from 34 colleges and universities on freshman seminar/student success courses and their outcomes and how institutions are evaluating and reporting on these programs. Freshman seminars or success courses are courses for entering students that aim to ease the student's transition to the college…

This paper describes an ongoing comprehensive model of program evaluation which has as its major goal the improvement of teacher education. This project, developed at the University of Lethbridge (Alberta, Canada), is presented in four parts: (1) the process--how and why the project developed or is developing as it is; (2) the conceptual…