This article describes the development, implementation, and exploratory evaluation of a professional development series that addressed educators' knowledge and use of the terms "research-based" and "evidence-based" within Human Sciences Extension and Outreach at one university. Respondents to a follow-up survey were more likely…

Dwindling public funding as well as greater competition for grant dollars create a challenge for Extension. For Extension to remain a financially viable organization, educators have to be able to produce substantive, measurable program outcomes and impacts. Evaluative data can inform program development and delivery, and helps administrators…

In response to data from the initial survey published in October 2001, interventions were developed to increase vision screening knowledge and promote use of the "Iowa Vision Screening Program Guidelines" (Iowa Department of Education [IDE], 1997). The purpose of this evaluation was to measure differences in practice after interventions,…

Interviews collected information from 135 graduates of the trades and industrial cooperative education training program, and 30 employers in Des Moines, Iowa, to appraise the effectiveness of training in relation to post high school employment. Graduates and employers commented on the value of core area training, school counseling, and different…

The second four-year follow-up study of the Jackson County Adult Evening High School Completion Program was made to determine the effectiveness of the program in terms of the financial, social, or personal gains of the graduates. The study concerns the graduating class of 1968 (111 graduates) fairly evenly distributed as to sex (40% men and 60%…

This 4-year followup study of graduates of the Jackson County Adult Evening School Completion Program is the fourth 4-year study to be completed. The study attempted to measure the benefits received by the 1970 graduates in the educational, social, and financial areas. General information was obtained from a questionnaire that required information…

The Iowa Department of Education, in cooperation with the state's 15 community colleges and Drake University, completed an outcomes study of adult vocational training/retraining programs offered through the Adult and Continuing Education Divisions of the colleges. Study goals were to profile businesses served by the colleges, evaluate employer…