The authors address management's need to train supervisors to use employee performance appraisals. Topics covered include (1) application and usefulness of the appraisal system, (2) various approaches to employee evaluation, and (3) training of supervisory personnel. (Author/CH)

Two politically oriented factors are cited as major impediments to effective conveyance of evaluation findings to decision makers. The first factor, relevance, includes the elements of timing and matching of perceptions. The second, constituency support, includes recognition of reference groups and political benefits. (Author/LC)

The purpose of this publication is to highlight the importance of monitoring and documenting alcohol and drug abuse (AOD) program activities. Section 1 of this publication covers basic ideas in evaluating AOD program implementation, various methods of gathering data, and suggestions on selecting instruments. Section 2 contains abstracts of several…

Describes how social workers in a family agency were trained to apply single-case evaluation procedures. The staff's assessment points to four factors that influence practice evaluation: (1) perceived relevance to job responsibilities, (2) utility for immediate action of decision makers, (3) involvement of practitioners, and (4) organizational…

Recommendations are made to Congress and the Department of Education on evaluation of federally supported education programs. The work covers local, state, and federal efforts to address questions about evaluation procedures and practices, and the use of evaluation results. The recommendations are directed toward improving the quality and…

Examines perspectives of Barbadian teachers on existing methods for evaluating teachers and on recommendations set forth in the literature. Results revealed support for evaluation but much dissatisfaction with existing methods. Points out that primary teachers are more inclined to believe that evaluation is a basis for promotion. (KO)

The most successful science-and-technology center exhibits owe as much to the evaluation of visitor reactions as they do to budgets and planning. Explores different types of visitor-evaluation studies and shares examples of successful exhibit designs built upon visitor evaluations, including children's physics exhibits and jellyfish as living art.…

Argues for the inclusion of assessment coursework as a necessary component in teacher education through a demonstration of the relationship between test validity and the law. Focuses on the seventh assessment competency listed in the Standards for Teacher Competence in Educational Assessment of Students: recognizing unethical, illegal, and…

Discusses the following aspects of educational evaluation: (1) structural changes; (2) conceptual changes; (3) mixed methods and unraveling consensus; (4) utilization of findings; (5) the role of values; and (6) the role of politics. Discusses how evaluation moved from monolithic to pluralistic, reflecting the change from consensus to pluralism in…

Many communities are trying to build sustainable societies, melding the wisdom of nature with culture, by undertaking various projects and initiatives. Although many projects may contribute to community sustainability, it is difficult to know which are most urgent or will be most effective. The purpose of this document is to introduce the concept…

An overview is presented of decision-oriented educational research, based on experiences in a large urban school district and on the literature. Alternative definitions of research use and evaluation use are discussed, with particular attention to the dissemination of research outcomes. (GDC)

One of the most appropriate quasiexperimental approaches to compensatory education is the regression-discontinuity design. However, it remains underutilized, in part because of the need to clarify the link between the mathematical model and administrative decision-making. This paper explains the derivation of a program efficiency index congruent…