In this article, we reflect on our experience applying a framework for evaluating systems change to an evaluation of a statewide West Virginia alliance funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve the early persistence of rural, first-generation, and other underrepresented minority science, technology, engineering, and mathematics…

Program participants have been largely excluded as an evidence source in realist evaluations. We test whether and how lived experience as described through life history interviews with pilot program participants can be used as a valid and unique source of data for elucidating context (C)--mechanism (M)--outcome (O) configurations and informing…

This study examined the effectiveness of one province's Kindergarten Quality Rating System in differentiating quality levels using the Chinese Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (CECERS). Results confirmed that, except for the difference between the Standard and Level-3 Kindergartens, the CECERS was successful in detecting the differences…

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) has been linked to increased teacher competence and efficacy, as well as increased social skills and decreased challenging behaviors for participating children (Green, 2009). Partnerships for Early Childhood Mental Health ("Partnerships") is an ECMHC program in Southeastern Ohio. This…

The Go Wild with Fruits and Veggies! curriculum incorporates wild animal characters to motivate 3rd-5th grade children to increase fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity. Positive findings from a rural setting regarding a self-reported increase in intake of vegetables (n = 1,285) were verified by more intensive evaluation of vegetable…

Reviews available published rural program evaluation efforts, documents reasons rural community mental health centers have offered for not implementing systematic program evaluation activities, and offers constructive suggestions for overcoming barriers to evaluation. Introduces standard program evaluation strategies. Discusses techniques and aids…

This paper describes the process used by the Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker Program (MIHOW), a program of the Center for Health Services at Vanderbilt University, to develop its program evaluation with limited evaluation resources. The evaluation addresses the empowerment of grassroots participants in two projects: the MIHOW Pre- and…

This article describes Wyoming's development and implementation of a multimethod approach to assessing quality of care for people with mental retardation in rural areas. The approach incorporates fiscal accountability, parental satisfaction, consumer satisfaction, national accreditation standards, and broad measures of personal and system change.…

The eighth in a series of booklets on the Macomb (Illinois) 0-3 Regional Project for rural handicapped and high risk infants and toddlers focuses on the project's accountability efforts. The first paper presents an accountability instrument which includes descriptions of location, contacts, and activities (system entry, direct services,…

Problems in conducting program evaluation in third world countries can be divided into four interrelated categories: those associated with design, personnel, time, and budget. Some of the problems in each of these areas are considered and suggestions for dealing with them are presented. (Author)

Of the many roles colleges are called upon to play, the role of partner in community development is a significant one. The visibility and importance of this function is particularly evident in rural and remote communities. These locations provide excellent opportunities to examine the dynamics of this interaction, and gain an understanding that…

The evaluation strategy adopted by a rural Ontario (Canada) community health center is described, focusing on problems caused by multiple programs, variable and culturally diverse client base, and nontraditional approaches to health and wellness. The evaluation attempted to give a broad picture of the center's dynamics, processes, and efficacy.…

The lack of consensus among researchers in defining the focal construct of rurality has led to contradictory conclusions of whether or not a rural-urban performance gap exists in higher education. Compounding this problem are the changing definitions of rural and urban, even among governmental agencies. Thus, this study used two different…

This study investigated how rural states assess programs and services provided to disabled and disadvantaged vocational education students in terms of planning and operational processes. Study findings revealed a variety of strategies for affecting the implementation of state education agency evaluations. (Author)

The Adult Education Outreach Program in Monangalia County was designed to meet an apparent need and assess the feasibility of developing similar programs in other areas of West Virginia. Goals and assessment of success were based on these four research questions: (1) Will adults who need skills in solving consumer problems avail themselves of the…