This article describes two methods for use in program development and refinement. Problem mapping and forcefield analysis are explained with a real-world example about parenting education. Both methods are visual and consider multiple causes and effects of a problem. The methods are effective for clearly thinking through a problem, identifying…

Needs assessment is the first step in developing a leadership education program. During the spring of 2008 researchers and program planners conducted focus groups sessions with representatives from Virginia's agricultural community with the goal of assessing the leadership development interests and needs of that community. As one focus group…

Points out that educational activities often fail simply because the recipients have not been involved in describing their real needs and because educational planners assume that they know what is best for their audience. Suggests that problem-solving methods could be useful in the educational planning process. (Author/JOW)

Describes a curriculum planning approach that employs a systematic process for identifying alleged training needs, investigating the case in a preproject study, setting priorities, and adopting a project list and budget. Discusses the makeup and roles of the curriculum planning council and professional planning staff. Provides a problem…

Elements of a program development model are discussed, including change requirements, maintenance requirements, and development of a problem-solving management plan (identify problems based on needs, determine solution requirements and identify solution alternatives, select solution strategies from among alternatives, implement solution…

This catalog, the fourth edition issued by the U.S. Office of Education, provides current information on the state facilitator projects presently operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It is designed especially for use by state facilitators and developer/demonstrators in the National Diffusion…

The author describes search conferences designed to allow participants to scan the broad environment of the elderly and to generate recommendations on key issues identified. He also comments on the process and content of the seminars and discusses and comments on some of the theoretical assumptions of searches. (CT)

Four training experts are interviewed regarding developing training programs on an unfamiliar topic. They all said: teach yourself first, determine the needs to be met, and use the experts. They disagreed on the degree of knowledge a trainer should attempt to achieve and the types of resources trainers should use. (CT)

This handbook, a how-to-do-it summary, explains the needs assessment in adult education programs. It contains workshop materials necessary for developing an organized needs assessment. Needs assessment, a systematic method of identifying what needs to be done in a given area, is operationally analyzed according to symptoms, problems, diagnosis,…

This linker's guide introduces the systematic problem- solving approach used by the Florida Linkage System. An overview of the System's three SOLUTION ANALYSIS SERIES Guidebooks is given in order to clearly identify the different steps in the system's proposed training process. (LH)

The author describes the Training Technology System, a model for separating training from nontraining problems and a means of systematically solving training problems in industry and business. He lists the system phases: (1) analyze, (2) design, (3) develop, (4) implement, and (5) control, and he critiques the system. (CH)

This document is the first of a series that will address five stages of the school reform process. It focuses on the first stage of the change process, managing key stakeholders and external groups and engaging them in the planning and development of the reform or innovation. A stakeholder is any group or individual who can affect or is affected…

Based on the experience of 36 schools involved with the Northwest Reading Consortium, this manual presents a model of the instructional improvement process involved in that project. The instructional improvement process presented includes five stages: (1) assessing readiness, (2) developing a statement of the instructional problem, (3) making a…

This document describes how the Florida Linkage System approach to local problem solving might be implemented in other school districts. It is presented here as a general strategy that can be adapted to meet the specific needs of a given school. The FLS model is comprised of a sequence of steps and activities leading to continuous improvement by…

This guidebook, the second in a series of three, (plus a linker's guide) is intended to aid educational personnel in the selection of programs and materials best suited for specific schools and needs. The first section of the guide enables educators to develop detailed estimates of the costs for each program under consideration. The second section…