Describes the scope of evaluation efforts of the Even Start family literacy program to date, summarizing the evaluation strategies, rationale, intended audience, and findings. Discusses the different lenses offered by evaluation at state and local levels. (SLD)

Discusses the challenges facing evaluators of welfare reform and the ways that multiple methods can be combined to meet these challenges. Describes the studies reported in this issue. (Author/SLD)

Application of evaluability assessment by the Cooperative Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture is reviewed. The effort involved five states with six major programs since 1984. Underlying philosophy and methodological considerations are discussed, and background information is provided on the assessment processes and studies…

The appropriate delivery of service to people with intellectual disabilities in Victoria (Australia) can be facilitated by General Service Plans (GSPs). This paper provides suggested content for such plans, a protocol for their evaluation, and an assessment of GSPs in Victoria constructed between 1987 and 1990. A large number of GSPs were found to…

Offers a critical commentary on theory-based evaluation, stressing its utility as a method of program planning and as an adjunct to experiments but rejecting it as an alternative to experiments. Cites seven reasons for doubting that theory-based evaluations can provide the valid conclusions about a program's causal effects that proponents have…

This article provides a critical review of the quality of 12 recent large federal program evaluations. The review focused on elements of the evaluation design, inclusion of evaluation expertise among those who have oversight of the evaluation, and evaluation dissemination. Overall, the process analyses from these evaluations provide good models…

Decision makers in nonformal education programs can maximize the utility of their evaluation investment and improve program effectiveness by being more mindful of the potential uses of evaluation information. Evaluation use is a multifaceted construct that may include, but is not limited to, the implementation of evaluation recommendations or…

To provide another perspective on evaluation within nonformal settings, "New Directions for Evaluation" recently interviewed David Smith, the coordinator of the Professional Learning to Close the Achievement Gap program for the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools, who has extensive background in education and educational research. He formerly held…

Using a "Knowledge Development Plan" prepared as a blueprint, the Office of Youth Programs of the Department of Labor has undertaken various demonstration projects and large-scale evaluation and complementary research studies. The Office is experimenting with alternative employment and employability development approaches for…

The six career education projects evaluated in this report were a computerized counsel or support system (Willow Brook High School); a career education model, grades 7-10 (Chicago State University and School District 143 1/2); a career education resource laboratory (Eastern Illinois University); career education K-12 (East St. Louis); a career…

Since the mid-1990s, job-training and employment programs for low-income people have begun to emphasize not only program development and implementation, but also reform of the "system" of labor market, employers, training providers, and helping agencies. In 1995, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which launched the Jobs Initiative in 6…

Seven papers examine key minority populations that are encompassed in local, state, and federal levels of health program planning. The papers are based on methods of evaluation and planning. Projections on the future course of minority health programing are presented. (SLD)

This document is designed to provide assessment materials for specific Grade 4 outcomes in the Ukrainian Language and Culture Nine-year Program, Grades 4-5-6. The assessment materials are designed for the beginner level in the context of teaching for communicative competence. Grade 4 learning outcomes from the Ukrainian Language and Culture…

The evaluation of superintendents is one of the most important school board functions as it encapsulates expectations for the superintendent's performance and advancement toward district goals. Current and past literature devote little attention to the processes and outcomes of superintendent evaluations despite an apparent connection between…

The infusion of online education has brought about significant changes within the traditional, brick-and-mortar schoolhouse. With an increasing number of students enrolling in online courses, administrators must identify more quality online educators to meet the needs of the students in their care. Hence, the focus of this study is to answer the…