The attainment of curricular goals, rather than improved IQ scores, was the basis for evaluation of the effectiveness of a program for disadvantaged preschoolers. Featured is the development of an Inventory of Cognitive Skills and Visual-Motor Functioning to evaluate the child's level of functioning in curriculum-related areas. (KW)

The author states his position on each. (Editor)

Compares qualitative and quantitative research in developmental program evaluation. Reports on a small-scale, field study evaluating the academic self-esteem of students in an academic skills program. Concludes that the exploratory and indicative nature of qualitative research can provide information on students' affective development and enhance…

Formative and summative evaluation in nonschool settings are discussed, and six elements for effective use of a program evaluation system in diverse educational settings are outlined. (FG)

Describes two contrasting types of efforts (for individual programs and for classes of programs) used by the U.S. Office of Education to evaluate the effectiveness of bilingual education, and the sharply contrasting results. (Journal availability: National Dissemination and Assessment Center, California State University, 5151 State University…

Problems concerning the accreditation of teacher education programs include: (1) the differences in requirements at various institutions; (2) evaluating program substance instead of form; (3) determining actual qualifications of graduates; (4) the purpose of accreditation; and (5) the effectiveness of the evaluation. Various solutions are…

Evaluation design decisions for a child care provider training program are discussed as a function of three characteristics: decentralization, local autonomy and multiple delivery strategies. While decentralized process data were gathered, only centralized outcome data were collected. The design decisions made were appropriate for such diverse…

This article delineates certain concepts aimed at improving the process of program evaluation in bilingual education. Educationally defensible and politically-free approaches to such evaluation are recommended. (Author/AL)

Presents a check list created by teachers to be used as an evaluation instrument in observations of reading laboratories in the New York City area. Reflects their ideas about the essential components of a remedial reading program. (FL)

Asserts that few family preservation evaluations have demonstrated which service components, characteristics, and compositions lead to positive outcomes for families. Proposes a taxonomy and recording instrument for explicating and measuring the process of family preservation services by practitioners and programs in order to improve the…

The self-selection problem in program evaluation is explored, and two ways of addressing it, covariate control approaches and two-stage sample selection models, are described. A longitudinal study of the effects of participation in Alcoholics Anonymous illustrates both approaches and shows the advantages of the two-step procedure. (SLD)

Factors that have shaped the practice of federal program evaluation in Canada are discussed, including accountability, federal policy issues, political actors, organizational structures, and political and governmental changes. A key issue is that of promise versus performance. (SLD)

This paper reports the use of multi-attribute utility analysis for evaluating the goals and services of a state vocational rehabilitation agency. Uses included: (1) identification and clarification of agency goals and services; (2) engagement of stakeholders in the determination of measurable attributes of these goals; and (3) use of…