Programme planning models found in the current body of literature provide some practical strategies for developing effective adult education programmes, but how political and economic systems of a country shape the nature and scope of planning is missing. This paper aims to fill this theoretical void by bringing political economy perspective into…

Through the perspectives of a museum educator, an art educator, and an educational researcher, this article explores the evolution of shared definitions of "well-being" in the development of a museum- and arts-based program for adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). By piecing together the authors' first-person…

This evaluation report explores the evolution of the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI), an annual convening of youth leaders, youth organizers, adult allies, and educators from across New England. The report closely examines the first several years of YLI, tracking its growth and challenges through the eyes of youth, adult allies, and Nellie Mae…

This article describes standards setting in an evaluation of the structure of 15 of the nation's university hospitals who participated in the Teaching Hospital General Medicine Group Practice Program. Standards were (1) selected from many sources; (2) formed in a participatory, competing forum for discussion; and (3) set in advance of information…

This paper examines the effects of preschool expansion in Kalamazoo County on the county's economic development. Effects on the county's economic development are defined as effects on the employment and earnings of county residents. The estimated effects are found to be large relative to the costs. In addition to their relevance to Kalamazoo…

This monograph is based on the authors' visits and communications with directors and staff, and presents an analysis of adult counseling programs operating in many sites around the nation. General characteristics of adult counseling centers are assessed in terms of start-up and funding, public relations and referrals, location, hours of operation,…

This policy memorandum provides a summary of what is known about voluntary activity in the United States in general and in Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) service delivery areas (SDAs) in particular. It suggests possible short- and long-term policy strategies that might be used to increase the effectiveness of voluntary service in JTPA…

Results of a longitudinal study of mentally handicapped Canadian adults' perceptions of their quality of life led to development of a conceptual model. The model calls for a reciprocal link between client and field worker wherein the field worker mediates goals and develops a program based on client-generated programing selections. (JDD)

This paper describes experiences with in-house evaluation, using four case examples from Child and Family Services (a social service, child welfare, and mental health agency) in a meta-evaluation model to illustrate benefits and sensitivities of the internal evaluator's role. Projects reviewed were: (1) a child sexual abuse treatment team; (2) a…

Developed a program to support adults concerned about their aging parents. Specific objectives were to: develop educational materials, provide a group milieu, and train participants in communications techniques. Results indicated the program had limited positive results in contrast to no, or slightly negative change for the delayed treatment…

Two evaluation projects conducted for the Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service are examined from a user-focused perspective: (1) a needs assessment of large scale commercial farmers for program development by the Office of Special Programs; and (2) a review of the extension programs in Nicollet County. Each incorporated the focus group method…

Describes the results of telephone interviews with 10 former directors of state systems-change projects focused on supported employment in the context of the rapid growth of supported-employment programs for people with severe disabilities. Results are discussed in terms of the ongoing nature of dynamic change in social systems. (Author/DB)

This report summarizes the evaluation of civilian training in six Federal government agencies. A representative sample of executive, managerial, technical, clerical and scientific training programs were selected. The project's purposes were: (1) to produce useful examples of systematic training evaluation; and (2) to generate recommendations for…

This report examines the effectiveness of elementary school-based family literacy programs and describes the first year evaluation of a middle-school-based family literacy program in Baltimore, Maryland. In section one it reviews the literature on adult education and early childhood intervention and proposes a hypothesis of the broad pathways by…

A synthetic method of estimating relative annual prevalence of severely mentally disabled (SMD) adults across Ohio's mental health board areas was evaluated. Indirect evidence of accuracy for the method, which relies on local catchment area data and local census data, is provided by comparison with actual SMD adult counts in federal programs. (SLD)