We revisit the merits of the retrospective pretest-posttest (RPP) design for repeated-measures research. The underutilized RPP method asks respondents to rate survey items twice during the same posttest measurement occasion from two specific frames of reference: "now" and "then." Individuals first report their current attitudes…

There is a need for a holistic usability evaluation framework that accommodates social constructivist online courses. Social knowledge construction may not be adequately evaluated using current frameworks. This qualitative research study examined the usability needs of a social constructivist online course. Data from an online course were analyzed…

This study analyzed data from four evaluation designs incorporating the retrospective pretest (i.e., thentest), analyzing the effects of self-report pretesting and post-program survey format on a set of self-report measures. Validity of self-report data was assessed by comparing the criterion validity of then ratings to established benchmarks and…

The iPod digital music player has been available since late 2001, and even in higher education, its presence has been seen, although mostly in the hands of students and rarely for outcomes-based educational purposes. In 2004, Duke University provided free iPods to all 1,650 first year students, which subsequently enabled faculty to create learning…

The purpose of the present study was to examine a common practice in some areas of program evaluation, the retrospective pretest, and to present recommendations regarding its use. The authors review literature to emphasize first, that bias is likely in both prospective and retrospective ratings, and second, that under some circumstances,…

The Program Standards Evaluation System was developed in response to evaluation requirements in the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. The system includes procedures for using standards data to monitor and evaluate vocational rehabilitation (VR) service outcomes and outputs as well as standards on key procedural issues. The system includes procedures for…

Evaluated effects of pretesting in conjunction with a group social skills training program. A Solomon four-groups design was used to evaluate the effects of pretesting, the skills training program, and their interaction. Strong evidence of pretesting effects was found for measures associated with a behavioral forced interaction task. (Author)

As the final volume in a 4-volume evaluation report on the University of Massachusetts Non-Formal Education Project (UMass NFEP) initiated in rural Ecuador in 1973, this volume presents appendices to volumes I-III. Appendix A includes the following items: (1) Community Demographic Profile; (2) Description of Introduction to the Community; (3)…

A pretest-posttest design for measuring the effects of educational programs uses comparison groups consisting of pupils like those in the treatment group but not getting that particular treatment. Although the design is geared primarily to evaluation of Title I programs in large cities, it should also apply to other situations. The plan for…

The final evaluation report for the Colorado City Bilingual Education Program is presented in this paper. The project was directed to kindergarten children from low-income disadvantaged homes; of 63 participants, 53 were Spanish-speaking children and 10 were monolingual English-speaking children. Project staff consisted of a bilingual teacher, a…

Described is a study designed to test on a scientific basis the effectiveness of Dr. Francis Christensen's program for teaching composition. (RY)

Separate selection and pretesting of students eliminate regression effects in the pre-post achievement gain measured in the RMC Model--A method of program evaluation. (CP)

Using pre- and post-testing procedures, the Teacher Placement Opinion Form was administered to 106 preservice teachers in training at the University of Saskatchewan to determine the degree of attitude change after completion of an undergraduate course on the orientation to teaching exceptional children in the regular classroom. (JC)

This pretest report on the National Head Start Evaluation Project gives data on ethnicity and ages of children enrolled in four Head Start centers in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona, and describes the present status of evaluation at these centers. Completed pretests, proposed evaluation instruments, and available pretest data are presented.…

The Project ABLE Guidance Program was designed to prepare junior high school students for making an appropriate and stable choice of a high school program. To determine the success of the program, an experimental and a control group were administered the Project ABLE Career Development Inventory prior to and after implementation of the guidance…