A potentially useful program-evaluation approach obtains information from program dropouts. This method was applied to university students who dropped out of four developmental programs. Results indicate many students recognize the value of the program for others, yet resist participating themselves. This approach was a useful supplementary…

Presents two evaluation approaches that can be adapted to a variety of programs: measuring learning and measuring behavior change. Both methods, the measurement of what was learned in a program and the assessment of changes in behavior following a program, can strengthen program evaluation. (MF)

Describes a method of evaluation which ensures maximum yield. Mentions common pitfalls in evaluation procedures and proposes Reality-Based Evaluation (RBE) as a safeguard against them. Outlines RBE and concludes that evaluation results must play an active role in bringing about change. (JG)

The lack of utilization of evaluation studies is criticized. It is suggested that program directors be asked to submit proposals to evaluators which will demonstrate that the directors are competent to utilize the information provided and to assess the quality of the evaluation. (JKS)

The chronology, evaluation procedures, results, implications, and recommendations of a district-wide evaluation of reading instruction are described. The evaluation was conducted in 3l elementary schools in Eugene, Oregon, to determine: reading program effectiveness, qualities of effective programs, and methods to improve ineffective programs. (MH)

The problem dealt with here is that of developing evaluation procedures that will determine, through objective evidence, the merit of a demonstration project that uses an infusion approach to career education in an ongoing school system. The design of this process has emerged from the Occupational Competence Access Project. (Author)

This article represents an overview of the various types of evaluation research conducted in the fields of crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and mental health in general. An attempt is made to classify it according to its content and purpose, and to assess the relative merit of each. (Author)

Instead of approaching counseling and guidance department evaluations with fear, apprehension and mistrust, counselors can benefit themselves and their school programs by responding to recommendations outlined above. School counselors are their own best assurance of positive, constructive department evaluations. (Author)

A survey and case studies of southern institutions show a great diversity in approaches to instructional evaluation and considerable unevenness in both the effectiveness of the systems in achieving their purposes and in the validity of some of the practices used. (Editor/LBH)

The latest budget technique requires that the administrator identify all programs under his control, evaluate each in terms of cost, indicate merits and alternate solutions, rank programs according to dollar costs, and finally prioritize his programs according to assessed needs. (Author/MLF)

Examples of the decision package mentioned in the previous issue in an article "Zero Base Budgeting." (MLF)

The seven articles in this edition show that cost-benefit analysis is emerging from the confusion of the 1980s and is probably going to become the central tool of program evaluation in the future. The modern approach involves incorporating probability distributions into the cost-benefit analysis. None of the articles are specifically…

Describes a peer support approach to evaluating outcomes within supported employment programs for people with developmental disabilities. Presents a case study of one Canadian county agency's experience with peer support evaluation and draws several lessons from the implementation experience of several agencies. (SLD)

This study applied an analytical technique called Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to calculate the relative technical efficiency of 95 academic research libraries, all members of the Association of Research Libraries. DEA, with the proper model of library inputs and outputs, can reveal best practices in the peer groups, as well as the technical…

The Danish Evaluation Institute is conducting systematic assessments of three master's programs in public administration, public policy, and public management. They have found that explicit criteria have advantages and disadvantages. Development of criteria attempts to meet the following demands: uniformity, relevance of level, scope, precision,…