The Common Core State Standards have been adopted by 46 states and the District of Columbia. They enjoy a huge following of well-wishers and supporters who are optimistic that the standards will boost achievement in U.S. schools. Setting aside the cheerleading and fond hopes, what are the real chances of success? The most reasonable prediction is…

In "The Case for Participatory Evaluation in an Era of Accountability" (this issue), Jill Chouinard highlights seven tensions between the participatory and technocratic approaches to evaluation. She suggests that there is a need to create opportunities for more participatory approaches to evaluation. In this essay, I suggest that the era of…

This paper presents the author's comment on "Evaluation Field Building in South Asia: Reflections, Anecdotes, and Questions" by Katherine Hay. Hay raises a number of extremely relevant issues relating to evaluation field building in South Asia. In this paper, the author aims to underscore the importance of three priorities for initiating…

Addressing the implications of quality standards and performance measures for California's adult education system, this document focuses on skill assessment and testing systems as a core performance measure. Following an executive summary, the first chapter is an introduction that includes an overview of recommendation 7 of the l989 Strategic Plan…

To help reduce shortages of pretrained individuals that could occur in the event of a full national mobilization, the Army established a retiree recall program in 1981. The September 1992 exercise at Ft. Riley was one in a continuing series of "Certain Sage" exercises to evaluate the effectiveness of the system. Exercise participants filled duty…

Makes case for using performance assessments in career development interventions conducted in the classroom. Examples are drawn from "Pathways," a recently developed Canadian program for career development. Limitations of performance assessments are discussed, followed by recommendations for practice and research. (Author)

Illustrates how program evaluation can be used to increase the impact of continuing education on performance. (JOW)

A performance audit is a comprehensive examination of an organization or activity conducted by an independent evaluator to assess efficient use of resources (management audit) or effectiveness (program audit). (SK)

Describes an operations audit as a means of reporting the effect of such interventions as training programs on organizational productivity; discusses the value of an accurate mission statement; describes an audit conducted to learn effects of management training programs at Lutheran General; and reviews steps and measurement techniques of…

Defines authentic assessment as an approach to assessment that is designed to correspond as closely as possible to real world experience. Discusses the rubric, a tool that is being used across the curriculum, and how it can be used in technology education. Rubrics are scoring devices designed to assist in clarifying, communicating, and assessing…

Contract grading is explained by way of four types of contracts: teacher made/teacher assigned; teacher made/student assigned; student made/teacher assigned; and student made. Also discusses the responsibilities of teacher and student, implementation of a contractual grading program, and program evaluation. (CT)

Various types of human resource accounting systems are described and analyzed: asset models, expense models, the utility formula, cost/benefit analysis, and a comprehensive program design. Steps in this last design (e.g., review all jobs in the organization, analyze training needs for targeted jobs, determine training programs that have the…

Discusses how Perkins Act mandates for accountability in vocational education necessitate modification of performance standards and measures for special populations. (SK)

Training can be measured at four levels: trainee reactions, acquisition of intended skill or knowledge, use of new skill or knowledge on the job, and impact on the organization. Evaluation of training is meaningful only if it is conducted within the context of a performance improvement system. (SK)

While no one instrument can accurately evaluate or assess every college or university debate program, two separate frameworks can be established based in forensics and assessment literature. The first framework is a descriptive/analytic/evaluative framework for a debate program based on the philosophies of the several national conferences on…