The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE), a unit within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), is responsible for advising the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families on increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of programs to improve the economic and social well-being of children and families. In collaboration…

The meaning of evaluation and the steps necessary to implement it are explained to parents in this booklet. The purposes and methods of evaluating student progress, teacher capability, programs, and school and community goals are related to improvement of the educational experience as a whole. Decision making is always a result of the data…

Based on a theoretical model of program development, this taxonomy of evaluation relates six evaluation objectives or purposes to nine methodological alternatives. Use of the taxonomy may increase the efficiency of evaluation, improve communication, and assist in the choice of a methodology that is appropriate to the evaluation purposes.…

A successful review of program quality, it is suggested, requires a clear understanding by all participants of what is meant by "quality." Academic quality is defined. Much of the confusion about assessing program quality results from an inability or unwillingness to try to determine exactly what is to be assessed. (MLW)

Academic program review should not be considered a new phenomenon in higher education; reviews of various types have been conducted on a continuing basis. The renewed importance of an organized effort has been stimulated by the inability of funding sources to maintain levels of support required to insure quality in all on-going programs. Current…

An on-site evaluation of the Miccosukee Day School (renamed Miccosukee Indian School) was conducted on June 4 and 5, 1975. Focusing on the education requirements of the Fiscal Year 1975 Contract, this on-site evaluation determined if the school's educational program was meeting its goals and objectives. Areas previously audited were designated as…

Faculty development research historically reported details on the types of programming available and the format of delivery. This research instead sought to uncover the underpinnings of the goals behind development efforts at community colleges. Findings indicate that teaching and learning issues remain central, with faculty interests serving as…

One of seven guides developed to assist vocational-technical institutions in conducting a systemized approach to local evaluation, this introductory guide provides a system overview that includes a rationale, acknowledgements, and design components. Also included are suggestions for implementation and utilization in the local setting. Numerous…

The structure and foundations of educational evaluation activities are explained. Evaluation theories are divided into descriptive or empirical, and normative. Descriptive theory is defined as explaining phenomena, rather than being based on normative premises. It is referred to as educational evaluation analysis and is classified as a social…

The purpose of this manual is to describe critical techniques and components that should be considered in a comprehensive program planning and evaluation system. It contains a general introductory section followed by sections on performance objectives, general assessment techniques, assessment techniques in the affective domain, process…

This is the report of a study conducted to develop a system which would identify the primary elements needed to install career education at the local level, provide insight into attitude changes needed regarding the installation of career education, identify strategies that could be initiated to enhance the installation of career education, and to…

The purpose of Project PRIMES (progress research in meeting elementary standards) is three-fold: to design and test a model for evaluating elementary schools by state standards, to develop a set of evaluation instruments, and to aid teachers and administrators in the application and interpretation of evaluation procedures. The project's major…

One of seven guides developed to assist vocational-technical institutions in conducting a systemized approach to local evaluation, this consultative team evaluation guide provides a procedure for conducting a needs assessment by a team of experts from related business and industry. The project matrix included in this guide depicts the factors and…

Because linkages between dissemination and the impact assessment systems are necessary to the effective implementation of research and development activities in the area of vocational education, the Department of Adult, Vocational, and Technical Education of the Illinois State Board of Education and staff from the University of Illinois will…

One of seven guides developed to assist vocational-technical institutions in conducting a systemized approach to local evaluation, this administrative perceptions guide presents a suggested methodology for conducting a needs assessment with the administrative and supervisory staff. The matrix included depicts the factors and indicators assessed by…