A six-stage evaluation model is described for gathering data concerning the relative cost-effectiveness of alternative professional development activities which share common objectives. The model specifies the type of cost effectiveness data to gather and the analysis procedures to use in comparing the relative costs and effectiveness of the…

Staff developers can facilitate school improvement by helping administrators make more accurate employee performance appraisals. The article identifies seven common causes of rater errors, several ways to reduce the errors, and actions staff developers can take to help administrators recognize and reduce their potential for making errors when…

In this age of accountability, evaluation must become an integral part of staff development. This paper describes what evaluation is; the three types of evaluation (planning, formative, and summative); and the five critical stages of staff development evaluation. It presents 12 guidelines for improving the quality of professional-development…

Staff development programs and evaluation designs can be improved by applying four principles: (1) Range of evaluation criteria should match range of outcomes; (2) Program outcomes should be concrete and specific to assist in formulation of evaluation criteria; (3) Evaluation design rigor should reflect the program's power; and (4) Evaluation…

The Detroit Center for Professional Growth and Development, a state-funded teacher center, has prepared a computerized data bank to study patterns of relationships among selected staff development and school characteristics. A description of what the staff development data bank contains and how it obtains information is given. (JN)

Six areas of staff development program evaluation in which participants may be meaningfully involved are: (1) clarification of the program's goals; (2) development of a design for the evaluation study; (3) development of methods for measurement; (4) analysis of information; (5) response to evaluation instruments; and (6) reporting on an evaluation…

Budget-conscious Americans are increasingly asking that staff developers provide hard data about program effectiveness. The concept of return on investment (ROI) is useful in documenting the effectiveness of staff development programs. To calculate ROI, baseline data must be compared with results realized by the organization. (SM)

The Koan technique was originated by Zen masters to help students open up to new possibilities and to help the individual realize his/her full potential. The staff developer should be engaged in the same process. Important factors in the evaluation process of staff development are listed. (JN)

Ways to monitor staff development programs include: (1) counting the number of participants; (2) obtaining participant reactions to programs; and (3) tracking participants by needs, objectives, and inservice topics. A needs assessment model of staff development focuses on information utilization, program impact, and evaluation approaches. (JN)

Three sets of relationships between evaluation and staff development are identified: (1) evaluation for staff development in which data from evaluations suggest the program content; (2) evaluation of staff development in which evaluative activities become opportunities for problem solving; and (3) evaluation of staff development in which…

Goals for the development of building level staff development in the Greenwich, Connecticut evaluation model include: (1) evaluating information sharing; (2) evaluating staff interests and concerns; (3) evaluating the acquisition of new skills, techniques, and strategies; and (4) evaluating the sense of community and commitment among staff in the…

A seven-part sequence for evaluation of a teacher center includes: (1) determining the purpose of evaluation; (2) identifying decision makers; (3) identifying areas of concern to decision makers; (4) determining what information is necessary to make decisions; (5) determining the means of collecting information; (6) organizing and using the…

A workshop designed to assist local staff developers with the evaluation of their staff development programs is described. The intent of the workshop is to provide specific technical assistance for implementing a planned and consistent evaluation process. The workshop's goal is to allow a nonspecialist in evaluation to gather data necessary for…

After explaining performance assessment, the article describes a Michigan staff development workshop to teach educators performance assessment, explains program content and methods for teaching program assessment, illustrates how performance assessment was taught to students, and presents recommendations for effective implementation of performance…

Describes a California project which encourages educators to follow best practices for staff development and school improvement. The project helps them evaluate their staff-development plans by examining five essential questions about staff development and its connections to student success, professional climate, standards, and assessment. The…