In this reflective case, we examine the role and function of collaboration in use-oriented evaluation approaches. Reflecting on our experience evaluating a program that sought to integrate new technologies into K-12 teaching and pre-service teacher education, we found that the desire and pursuit of making evaluation useful can influence why, with…

Although distance learning often is cited as a potentially useful strategy to provide appropriately challenging academic coursework to gifted students, little research has been conducted on its use or effectiveness with this population, particularly with younger students in elementary school. In this study, distance learning outcomes for gifted…

Until recently, few K-12 teachers outside of social studies have integrated primary sources in classroom instruction. Integrating primary sources in educational practice does require an uncommon pedagogical understanding. Addressing this K-12 educator need is the Library of Congress. Recently, the Library implemented a national educator…

This paper presents a description and evaluation of Myartspace, a service on mobile phones for inquiry-led learning that allows students to gather information during a school field trip which is automatically sent to a website where they can view, share and present it, back in the classroom or at home. The evaluation focused on three levels: a…

Objectives of Title I evaluations are to document: (1) use by local staff and parents; (2) other types of information used by local staff and parents in judging and in improving their program; and (3) implications of these findings for the current Federal Title I evaluation strategy. (Author/RL)

How can Title I evaluations be improved so that they are more likely to increase the impact of evaluation data on informed actions within the schools? An examination of evaluation practice leads to the conclusion that most LEA practitioners view Title I evaluation as externally imposed and primarily designed to serve state and federal needs. A…

Evaluation utilization/use is discussed with the concept of user rationality (including examples where the rational use of evaluation results may be unclear or may be nonuse). A current project focuses on studying the process of evaluation information use and on validating a theory of use. (Author/LC)

An assessment was made in 1978 of the longterm effects on school media utilization of Project Discovery (1964-1967), which was designed to test the effect of "maximum availability" of instructional materials on curriculum, on student attitudes, achievement, creativity, and motivation, and on teaching methods and techniques. The project…

Program staff participated in evaluating two school improvement programs of Research for Better Schools, Inc. They used evaluation information primarily to identify technical assistance needs and to modify the program. Increased use has resulted from improved communication, staff perceptions of evaluation relevance and credibility, and staff…

This paper reviews the role played by the Title I (now Chapter 1) Evaluation Technical Assistance Centers in providing technical assistance to state and local agencies. It presents (1) a legistative history; (2) the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) activities under Title I; (3) an evaluation of the TACs; (4) the legislative changes enacted by the…

The Research on Evaluation Program's National Advisory Panel recommended that a means of matching evaluation methods with evaluation purposes be developed and that it include a guide to major Program publications. Practitioners in the field have also requested support on how to approach the evaluation design process to permit the incorporation of…

Naturalistic research methods were used to analyze five case studies of school program evaluations. Interviews were conducted with program personnel and evaluators for the five programs, which were funded by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title I, Title III, or Title IV-C. Programs were: (1) Bayview: Project MORE, a program to improve…

Analyzed are the results of individual interviews with participants in the Indiana Global Education Program, which developed teacher in-service training sessions, dissemination networks, materials, and resource centers to strengthen global education in Indiana schools. This is the second phase of the evaluation study. In phase 1 questionnaires…

In February 1980, personnel from WKNO-TV and the College of Education at Memphis State University conducted a study to determine the usage and effectiveness of the 1979-80 in-school programming and future needs for instructional television services provided by the Memphis Community Television Foundation and broadcast through WKNO-TV, Memphis, and…

These four papers focus on a consideration of the costs of evaluation, as examined in the Evaluation Use Project. "A Framework for Estimating Evaluation Costs," by Marvin Alkin and Brian Stecher, considers overall theory and draws on previous research in determing evaluation costs. The concepts are extended to develop informal quidelines…