The middle grades have become the agreed upon starting point for high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, as this represents a critical time for students making important decisions that may have a lasting impact on their careers. However, there lacks a common view among state and local leaders on what makes up a high-quality middle…

Describes differences between research and practice of experiential education evaluation, noting that differences arise when evaluation is undertaken by and for persons outside the field. Notes five types of research strategies necessary to build a stronger research base in experiential education. (SB)

This is one of a set of five handbooks compiled by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory which describes the processes for planning and operating a total Experience-Based Career Education (EBCE) program. Processes and material are those developed by the original EBCE model--Community Experiences in Career Education or (CE)2. The area of…

Types of assessment, five assessment techniques, and issues related to assessing experiential learning in career education are discussed. The following six points should be considered before an assessment program begins: (1) assumptions; (2) goals; (3) outcomes; (4) learning environment; (5) role of assessors; and (6) focus. Two basic types of…

Explains a three-dimensional conceptual model designed to help outdoor educators plan and evaluate programs that provide primary and reflective experiences in, about, and for the outdoors and that bring about positive growth in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of learning. (JHZ)

Five models of program evaluation--needs assessment, feasibility study, process evaluation, outcome evaluation, and cost analysis--are described, and how they differ from research is explained. Six groups of stakeholders are identified, reasons for doing evaluations are discussed, qualitative and quantitative methods are described, five stages of…

Designed to be used in conjunction with the curriculum and procedural materials of the three instructional components in the Research for Better Schools' (RBS) career education program, this series of administrative guides is composed of four items. The RBS introductory manual explains experience-based career education (EBCE) and the RBS approach…

Traces origin of outdoor education to Aristotle. Expresses concern over cutbacks and "back to basics" movements that are eliminating outdoor programs. Proposes outdoor educators examine program objectives, staff, student needs, focus, and techniques to improve physiological and psychological aspects and avoid instructor traps to become stronger,…

Demonstrates how case study evaluation concentrates on a single situation to present a holistic view of an experiential learning program and reveals unique and unanticipated features. Outlines steps of planning, gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, and reporting data and considers the advantages and disadvantages of the case study approach. (LFL)

After briefly describing the Community Experiences for Career Education project, this paper discusses 11 evaluation strategies used with the project, assesses the strengths and limitations of each, shows some relationships among them, discusses ways of communicating evaluation findings, and suggests selection criteria to others planning multiple…

Periodic assessment of cooperative education programs is shown to provide a sound information basis for future program directions. A comorehensive evaluation model is described that focuses on what is done, how it is done, and why it is important. Specific goals are outlined. (Author/LBH)

This manual presents standards for adventure education programs seeking accreditation from the Association for Experiential Education. The manual is set up sequentially, focusing both on objective standards such as technical risk management aspects, and on subjective standards such as teaching approaches used in programs. Chapter titles provide…

This booklet for practitioners and others working with groups of older adults with chronic pain describes a model for a program for learning about factors associated with pain and about coping. An overview is provided of the model developed at the Turner Geriatric Clinic that has an education and support group format and involves both an…

This evaluation handbook is the third in a series of three handbooks developed for individuals, school districts, and agencies interested in implementing career education programs. It is a user's manual with easy-to-follow directions for the implementation of specific evaluation activities. The handbook is divided into the following nine sections:…

This guide is intended to help parents and practitioners utilize natural settings to meet the developmental and health-related needs of infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. The mission statement of the Connecticut Birth to Three System is summarized and the term "natural settings" is elaborated on. Federal…