The first of five lessons in a tutorial on library evaluation from "American Libraries" and the University of Wisconsin/Madison School of Library and Information Studies includes instructions on how to earn a Certificate of Completion. A generalized evaluation model is presented and related to the planning process in libraries. (EJS)

Evaluations of special education interventions are different from research on medical interventions. Educational evaluations would be more useful if they applied an actuarial, or probability approach. Information should be collected over time and using various measures, thus increasing the available data. (GDC)

Describes the program developed by one California school district to meet the requirements of legislation concerning the training and evaluation of probationary staff. (FL)

The chemistry and chemical engineering department's experiences with an institution-wide research evaluation process is discussed, focusing on the departmental input into the process, the estimation of research activity and productivity, and the evaluation of the research's relevance to teaching, international research, and society. (MSE)

The Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park is the setting for a one-day laboratory exercise and evaluation of high school students' understanding of physics. The concepts and general techniques measured and the park's resources are discussed. Sample student responses are included. (JN)

A case study method was used to assess teacher satisfaction with school psychology services delivery based upon results of a questionnaire. Teachers' evaluation of school psychology services may be more accurate when reporting on recent specific cases than on psychological services in general. (DWH)

Reports on an evaluation of the higher levels of California's statewide reference referral network that involved an unobtrusive method utilizing existing records of actual reference transactions evaluated by panel of judges. Reference evaluation methods, findings of other studies, and other uses of the method are discussed. (Nineteen references…

Research methods and results used to assess the economic outcomes of vocational education are illustrated. Positive cost benefit analysis findings have been replaced by negative, or minimal, conclusions of large-scale effects assessment. This technique may be used to explore potential effects on both economic and noneconomic outcomes. (DWH)

The case study examines the implicit uneducability diagnosis for an individual who had not shown progress in over two years of training in eating skills. Following programing by a special training team, the S made variable but substantial progress. Results suggest that negative educability assessment based on performance in standard educational…

Successful outcomes assessment programs have many common characteristics. Institutional researchers should examine these signs of success and use them as guides for developing their own campus programs. (Author/MSE)

A responsive illuminative approach was used to evaluate a program for training motorcycle riders. This approach provided interaction between evaluators and participants, and attempted to provide a detailed report reflecting stakeholders' views. The design, implementation, and reporting of the evaluation are described, as are implications for…

Use of analysis of covariance or multiple regression can lead to Type I errors in pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group designs. Analysis of the interaction term of a repeated model analysis of variance was shown to help identify areas of significant change. The standardized difference score, effect size, suggested meaningful differences.…

Avoid the one-shot approach to evaluating administrators by designing a continuous system that focuses on improved performance. The four parts of this school district's evaluation system--philosophy, procedures, instruments, and training--are described, and a sidebar lists the specific job duties used in evaluating administrative performance. (DCS)

Analyzed psychometrics of a package of standardized scales used to assess mental health treatment outcomes in a VA cost-effectiveness study (N=451). Derived the following scales: family involvement, involvement with friends, labor market participation, symptomatology, substance abuse, client satisfaction, and client goal attainment. (LLL)

The quality of field supervision of student teachers is a major problem in preservice teacher education. A pilot study of supervising teachers showed positive trends when these teachers were enrolled in a course to increase flexibility through role-taking experiences. A discussion of the curriculum and its revised version are offerd. (DF)