The role of an evaluator resembles that of the industrial negotiations facilitator/fact finder: both attempt to please a diverse group and resolve value conflicts. Knowledge of the negotiation literature can help evaluators to remove conflict of interest pressures, and determine the most beneficial values of a project. (CP)

The relative utilities of subjectivity and objectivity in educational evaluation are debated. Page supports objectivity, while Stake supports subjectivity. (JKS)

A successful school program evaluation is re-examined to determine what made it successful. Suggestions for future evaluations include: (1) observe the political context of the program; (2) select a useful research design; (3) be sensitive to the subjects; and (4) discuss preliminary findings and be open to rebuttals. (JKS)

Problems that face evaluators, including field based evaluations, are discussed. The author states that open communication, access to data, and an ability to be accepted are paramount; knowledge of randomness, robustness and homoscedasticity may be secondary. (Author/PN)

The advantages and disadvantages of the evaluation of school health services in the Eugene, Oregon, public school district are discussed as an illustrative case study. The methodology of the work is presented; evaluation results are analyzed; and the reactions of board members and health services personnel are described. (Author/PN)

The position is taken that the effectiveness of bilingual education programs has not been adequately researched or evaluated. The lack of appropriate critical, empirical, or longitudinal studies is attributed to several factors. (MH)

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)

Five activities are proposed for a federal evaluation agenda for the 1980s: (1) measuring net impact of social program cost containment; (2) implementing and evaluating new social experiments; (3) examining appropriateness of current social programs; (4) testing alternatives to established programs; and (5) developing procedures to ensure…

Educational administrators are faced with increased demands for research and evaluation studies. Recommendations to counteract the negative effects of these demands include: increased knowledge about the usefulness of evaluation for decision making; a more effective intermediary role in daily activities; and increased decisiveness in interpreting…

Several aspects of national competency tests are discussed: two conceptualizations; arguments pro and con; the federal perspective; a distillation of support and opposition to arguments judged unique to national competency tests; and a hypothetical procedure for implementation. (MH)

An evaluation research capability was used to document the design and implementation of two programs in a large urban school district. This paper describes the research context, the origins of the role of resident evaluator, the broad functions of this role, and factors contributing to the usefulness of this approach. (BW)

Some issues under the control of districts, schools, and teachers that strongly bear on pupil learning are discussed. The issues are: curricular control, grouping and class size; pull-out programs; teachers' support staffs; school schedules; and homework policies. (RL)

Review of congressional hearings leading to the enactment of the Education Amendments of 1974 (Public Law 93-380), the initial response of the United States Office of Education, and the study conducted by the National Institute of Education as mandated in Section 821 of PL 93-380. (MH)

Seven considerations in designing the Title I Evaluation and Reporting System are reviewed: satisfying state, local, and federal needs; summative evaluation; differences in Title I subprograms; local use of different achievement tests; comparative analysis data; use of approved evaluation designs; and use of a common reporting metric. (MH)