Presents a way to evaluate the impact of local human services delivery systems and illustrates this logic model through the experiences of an urban United Way organization. This experience suggests that the logic model may have applications in planning when the aim is long-term social objectives through short-term interventions. (SLD)

A study of 24 videotaped interviews with sexually abused children (ages 4-12) investigated the effectiveness of using anatomically correct dolls during the interview process. Results found that when children were interviewed without dolls they gave longer and more detailed responses, suggesting that use of the dolls inhibited rather than…

This study compared the details provided in eyewitness accounts of British Columbia (Canada) children (ages 4-6) interviewed with a verbal interview against those interviewed with anatomically-neutral dolls in addition to a verbal interview. Findings indicate no main effect of interview type on the amount or accuracy of the accounts. (CR)

An internal learning system (ILS), created for a development organization operating savings/credit programs with poor women, is used for data collection, monitoring, and evaluation. The ILS is participatory, pictorial, decentralized, and flexible; it documents socioeconomic impact and supports action planning. (SK)

Examines the three levels of course and program assessment present at the U.S. Air Force Academy, including assessment at the course, departmental, and institutional levels. Points out common elements useful to all assessment efforts. (EV)

Examined the Kirkpatrick evaluation framework (D. Kirkpatrick, 1959) through a case study of a national leadership development program, the Canadian Agriculture Lifetime Leadership Program. Draws conclusions about using the Kirkpatrick framework to evaluate noncredit educational programs, and shows how the framework enabled productive formative…

Discusses problems that arise in evaluating social participatory art. Contends that concentrating solely on the social policy function during project development can have the effect of drying out the artistic content of the work. Proposes that evaluation processes are needed, but they must evolve from the structures of the projects and the needs…

This volume reflects the impact of postmodern critical thinking on models of human service practice. It demonstrates the values of practice informed by critical theory but does not present adequate empirical support for its effectiveness and Stringer's model is not illustrated through a case study. (SLD)

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Memphis are conducting an evaluation of the Memphis Restructuring Initiative's eight restructuring designs. This paper describes the methodology for the full longitudinal study, including design selection, staff training, planning, implementation issues, and outcomes. The research team…

Reasons for frustrations surrounding needs assessment in organizations are examined. Action strategies are paired with three of the root causes of obstacles to effective assessment: (1) flawed needs assessments; (2) no organizational support; and (3) inadequate expertise assigned to the effort. A sidebar presents four possible causes linked to…

Results of a survey of 564 Canadian and American evaluators and evaluation project descriptions provided by a subsample of 348 evaluators indicate that evaluators support a utilization-focused, stakeholder service orientation and think that maximizing evaluation use is a primary responsibility of evaluators. (SLD)

Reviewed summative evaluations of public training programs in Canada, focusing on methodology and the future prospects for evaluation in Canada. Findings show that the evaluation of training programs is a complex exercise that requires a careful research strategy, including carefully designed data collection. Future evaluations may need to focus…

Examined evaluation challenges facing the National Child Benefit (NCB) program in Canada. Reviewed the Social Union Framework agreement focusing on the development of the NCB. Findings show the complexity of programs like the NCB. Detecting changes in the program and assisting interpretation of these changes will require detailed administrative…

Suggests that there is a need to change the traditional evaluative process that treats teachers as supervised workers rather than collegial professionals. Examines the process, purpose, effectiveness, financial implications, and the future of peer review programs. Explains the process, purpose, and benefits of the program Peer Assistance and…

Reviews information that will assist in the development of evaluation efforts for school-based health centers (SBHCs). A review of evaluation theory, ideas for evaluation of SBHCs, challenges to implementing research in schools, and future directions for evaluation efforts are presented. (Contains 52 references and 3 tables.) (GCP)