The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) evaluates research studies that look at the effectiveness of education programs, products, practices, and policies, which the WWC calls "interventions." Many studies of education interventions make claims about impacts on students' outcomes. Some studies have designs that enable readers to make causal…

The "PISA 2009 Technical Report" describes the methodology underlying the PISA 2009 survey. It examines additional features related to the implementation of the project at a level of detail that allows researchers to understand and replicate its analyses. The reader will find a wealth of information on the test and sample design,…

Administrators, who assess others, cannot themselves be immune from assessment. A plan for administrator assessment is offered. (Editor/RK)

This paper focuses on performance-based teacher education in speech communication as an alternative to the traditional method of preparing speech teachers. Following an introductory argument stating the case for performance-based teacher education in speech communication, contents include: "Competency Based Teacher Training: A Perspective on a Set…

Themes for evaluating career centers are as follows: (1) determine scope and relate it to institutional mission; (2) design services to reflect successful practices; (3) build on philosophical/psychological base; (4) match interventions to developmental needs; (5) use sophisticated diagnostics; (6) provide continual staff training; (7) attend to…

Needs assessments require staff with the necessary expertise to design the study, collect the data, analyze the data, and present results. They require money, time, and persistence, because the people one wishes to assess often are difficult to access. This article argues for the centrality of a well-done needs assessment when developing services…

ELEVEN AREAS OF GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH NONCREDIT SERVICES OFFERED FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY AS SHORT COURSES, CONFERENCES, AND INSTITUTES, WERE RATED ON A SCALE OF INFERIOR TO SUPERIOR BY 79 INSTITUTIONS AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY EXTENSION ASSOCIATION AND THE ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY EVENING COLLEGES IN 1954-55. THESE…

The pamphlet describes an evaluation model for crime reduction projects developed by National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice sponsored research. It is meant to assist justice agency and project managers in determining completeness of evaluation planning by providing a framework against which to measure their evaluation…

Since the announcement in 1999 of a plan to tie teachers' salary increases to student achievement by Denver Public Schools, there has been a flood of nationwide policy activity around teacher compensation. This paper examines pay plans in Denver, Toledo, Minneapolis, and New York City, offering a snapshot of the changing landscape of teacher…

This guidebook is written to assist groups planning to create a responsive and efficient teacher center. It includes a general description of teacher centers, goal options, steps in setting up and staffing teacher centers, program management, and facility planning. Examples of work materials, equipment, catalogues, and curriculum materials are…

Indicators of program quality for adult basic education programs, developed by consultants, are assessed as they might be applicable to English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program evaluation. Sample quality indicators were developed in the areas of program context (i.e., organizational structure of service delivery, participant characteristics),…

When formative feedback in teacher evaluation programs results in a summative decision, teacher evaluation programs fulfill both formative and summative needs. Teacher evaluation programs that fulfill both formative and summative needs should include components such as consistent and just policies and procedures; evaluation criteria that agree…

This report summarizes the work performed in the project, and introduces the substantive results of the project, which are presented in the form of two separate advocate team reports that propose strategies for a planning and assessment system. The administrative summary consists of five sections: I. Description of Original Proposal and Revised…

Intended for instructors and administrators setting up a college reading and study skills program, this paper presents eight issues that should be carefully considered when developing a program structure that will suit the needs and framework of each institution. Discussions, resolutions, and rationale are provided for the following issues: (1)…

This staff development module is part of one of three groups of career guidance modules developed, field-tested, and revised by a six-state consortium coordinated by the American Institutes for Research. This module is the tenth in a series on developing a comprehensive career guidance program at the high school level, designed to aid guidance…