Three approaches to external evaluation to help align an institution's general and specific goals with its administration are suggested, including evaluation by accreditation agencies and evaluation research, governance audit, and optimization review. (MSE)

This is an introduction to a set of four papers in the field of evaluation research. A main theme in these papers is the recognition that evaluation research is not a pure objective scientific self-standing activity, but one that interacts within a context and is influenced by the interchanges. (LMO)

Distinctions between performance and learning are made in a discussion of databased instructional planning and decision making for handicapped students. Implications for IEP objectives are noted and the importance of continuous assessment stressed. (CL)

A multiple measurement approach with eight measurements was used to answer research questions regarding physical and social effects that occur when educable mentally retarded adolescents were exposed to a 10-week dance program. This approach was found to be useful for identifying multiple effects and generating hypotheses for further study.…

Twenty-four students who had participated in an open education program and their parents were interviewed with a structured questionnaire designed to elicit attitudes toward and evaluations of their open education experience. Responses indicated that students and parents understood the program goals and felt they had been achieved. (JHZ)

Describes the methods and findings of a survey of current quality assessment practices in two-year colleges. Lists traditional quality measures and five approaches to assessing educational quality. Concludes that though many colleges are involved in formal quality assessment, there is limited agreement on definitions or measures of excellence.…

A self-assessment program was developed at Arizona State University to help undergraduate students explore teaching as a career. In this program, students are exposed to the teaching role in practice and examine their own values, attitudes, behaviors, and personal characteristics. A description of the program and possible benefits are discussed.…

Describes the writing evaluation of an 11th-grade English class in which precourse and postcourse samples are graded by a team of English teachers. (EL)

The Florida Board of Regents conducts periodic evaluations of university degree programs and of the universities' performance on a set of quality indices. These Evaluations require large amounts of compatible data from all the institutions in the system. A data management process that can support such evaluations is described. (AUTHOR/MLW)

Demonstrates how case study evaluation concentrates on a single situation to present a holistic view of an experiential learning program and reveals unique and unanticipated features. Outlines steps of planning, gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, and reporting data and considers the advantages and disadvantages of the case study approach. (LFL)

The importance of evaluation and needs assessment balance in the planning cycle of adult education program development is discussed. A 10-step Problem Analysis Model is offered and explained to help educators develop an integrated, reality-based program that identifies a target group and defines and prioritizes needs. (DF)

Conclusion about site-specific determinants of educational outcomes of the controversial longitudinal evaluation of the Follow Through programs (1976) are challenged again by reexamining the Direct Instruction model data. Reanalysis confirms earlier critiques and supports more recent research funding on the relationship between types of…

A comprehensive program to evaluate and improve a medical school's instruction is described. The system integrates quantitative measures of teaching, descriptive documentation, and qualitative judgments on the full spectrum of medical instruction. Results of two studies showing instructional improvement and academic promotions as a result of the…

Discusses 12 computer programs designed to aid in analyzing written text. They point out weaknesses in communications, giving students an opportunity to evaluate and revise their papers before submitting them for grading. Includes an instrument and results of a survey of students' attitudes about the process. (JOW)

Identifies several issues related to the evaluation of educational software and offers some suggestions to help teachers learn more about how computers can be used to improve the teaching of English (HOD)