This article describes the teaching approach used in a one-week program evaluation course at the Minnesota Extension Summer School. Workshop participants, graduate level adult educators, gain practice in "utilization-focused evaluation" through assignments involving interviewing and evaluation of other participants. (IAH)

Interviewed 14 expert subjects from field of family therapy to identify variables and relationships that can be hypothesized to influence the quality of family therapy workshops for the continuing education of family therapists. Qualitative results suggest that perceptual and executive skills of presenters, content, and context all must be…

The article examines effects of implementation of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986, Part H, Handicapped Infants and Toddlers, including goals and expectations for family support, a comprehensive family support program, and assessment and service options. (DB)

Integrated programs need evaluation designs that fit with their curricular and instructional designs. Student evaluations for integrated programs should incorporate three characteristics: evaluation should be developed out of local needs; the means developed should be perceived as intrinsically worthwhile activities; and evaluations should center…

This paper argues that inferential statistical analyses as part of group research designs do not provide the kinds of data that are useful in determining the efficacy of clinical intervention with individuals having communication disorders. Replication studies are seen as providing a more fruitful approach to ascertaining the efficacy of clinical…

Examines the development of quality assurance in higher education delivered through open and distance learning. Highlights include recent publications on quality assurance, factors for change, key terms, debate about organizational mission, management, customers and students, competitive environment, and philosophy of professional- versus…

Discusses strategies designed to increase the instrumental use of program evaluation findings based on experiences in Australian schools. Highlights include an evaluation plan; awareness of the evaluation; timely reporting techniques; guidelines for implementation of findings; and the role of the evaluator as change agent. (Contains 21…

This theme issue discusses the misuse of evaluation. The eight articles all discuss instances in which the evaluation process or evaluation findings were misused. Misuse is usually not the result of methodological issues but rather is an issue of human relations and sometimes of political pressure. (SLD)

The Maryland Center for Quality and Productivity at the University of Maryland has developed a methodology that enables the management team of an organization to define its critical performance dimensions. A set of metrics is offered to help colleges and universities assess whether quality management is improving their performance. (DB)

A discussion of college and university evaluation efforts of their leadership development programs looks at a variety of ways in which institutions assess programming needs, leadership styles and skills, program design, leadership development results, and overall institutional impact of leadership programming. (MSE)

Investigated the effects of written-upward appraisal reports (feedback) and performance reviews on the supervisory behavior of 96 managers. Results indicate that managers who received feedback did not improve their supervision more than managers who did not receive feedback. Discusses problems and provides recommendations for the design of an…

The use of performance evaluation and performance indicators in Finland is reviewed, and a study of Finnish researchers' perceptions and attitudes about them is discussed. Three conclusions emerged from the study: (1) departmental indicators should be developed; (2) publications are not a bad measure of performance; and (3) most scientists support…

This article presents a series of decision trees to help in planning assessment and intervention with handicapped children between three months and five years of age. A series of assessment questions lead to suggestions for intervention. Steps in using the decision trees are given and a case example presented. (Author/DB)

This study found little actual integration resulting from placement of 16 high school age students with severe multiple disabilities in special education classrooms within regular high schools. Guidelines for evaluating the integration of students are offered including a two-pronged test and examples of data appropriate for evaluating integration…

This article overviews existing approaches to the evaluation of programs for gifted youth in the United States. A literature review found definitions, implementations, and consequence evaluations of gifted programs to be very diverse, resulting from lack of central planning, low social priority, and scanty conceptual organization. Possible…