This commentary includes a brief discussion of issues raised by the articles and systematic review contained in this special issue addressing technology applications for persons with severe developmental disabilities. Topical areas include a discussion of: (1) a need to compare "high tech" with "low tech" applications, (2) procedural fidelity, (3)…

Discusses why measuring behavior change is an effective way to project how the training program is contributing to the objectives of the organization and reducing operating costs. (CT)

Discusses the four basic objectives for measuring participants' reactions to preretirement programs: (1) needs assessment; (2) personal learning; (3) application and behavior change; and (4) program evaluation. Indicates a need for further research in analyzing outcomes of programs and in identifying ways programs benefit sponsoring organizations.…

An information-based rather than a knowledge-based approach to evaluation of social development programs has two advantages: (1) relative objectivity and (2) equity. Increasingly equitable flows of information are one indicator of social development. (SK)

Research shows that farmers are the most important influence on the adoption of new methods by other farmers. Results reaffirm the importance of targeting beyond actual participants in designing and evaluating extension programs. (JOW)

Customized skills assessments can perform a number of functions: help training departments demonstrate their effectiveness; provide a foundation for career development programs; reinforce company values; add feedback from the bottom up for performance evaluation; provide a concentrated focus for customer service improvement; and serve as a…

This commentary discusses three major factors that are reshaping the field of behavioral support: change in the outcomes of research/intervention, change in the comprehensive nature of interventions, and change in the contexts in which research is conducted. The focus on broader outcomes, comprehensive support, and real contexts is emphasized. (CR)

The concept of treatment integrity cuts across a diversity of fields involved with providing treatments or interventions to individuals. In medical treatments, the concept of "treatment compliance" or "treatment adherence" is an important and problematic issue. In the field of nutrition, the concept of "dietary adherence" is important for…

States the process-outcome research and evaluation paradigm applied to alcohol and substance abuse prevention and intervention programs. Shows its application to efforts to improve students' and patients' self-esteem to be deficient in certain aspects and advocates additions to the evaluation procedures, most notably analysis of in-session change.…

Assesses the potency of drug prevention and education programs and discusses whether federal spending on these activities has played a role in reducing adolescent drug use over the past decade. It concludes that neither drug-education activities or federal spending has influenced the decline in adolescent drug use from the early 1980s to early…

Includes "Importance of Programme Planning"; "Community Health Education"; "Health, Behavior, and Planned Change"; "Planning and Evaluation in Health Education"; "Scientist and Professional: Relations between Research and Action"; "The World Is Not Round: Innovation and the Medical…

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the School Team Approach for changing perceptions of the school climate and the level of victimization in 290 middle, junior high, and high schools used student and teacher questionnaires adapted from those used in the Safe School Study. In pre-intervention tests, students and teachers in middle and junior…

This paper proposes and discusses, from a management point of view, application of specific outcome measurements to residential programs for mentally retarded persons and those experiencing long term mental health problems. These include: rate of restraint and seclusion; percentage of compliance with applicable standards; absenteeism/leave time…

This paper presents recommendations for the facilitation and acceptance of change to remove sex bias and discriminatory practices in vocational education. They are based on the review of theory and research relating to attitude and behavior change, information about various equity programs, and results from the statewide survey of vocational…