This study investigated the impact of a Professional Development School (PDS) on student learning by comparing student achievement in a PDS and a control school. Student achievement data were collected from an elementary PDS and a matched control school over a 6-year period. The results indicate that the PDS moved more students up to mastery level…

The manual is intended to help local education agencies assess the overall quality of its programs and services for academically gifted students. The approach can aid in future planning by measuring the extent to which current goals are being met. Chapter 2 outlines the program goal approach and sets forth three major goals (and their related…

The University of Arizona's experience with a small-scale fund-raising project to establish a memorial scholarship illustrates that the development office's efforts in guiding a motivated group of donors can pay off. Planning elements included establishing a team, delegating tasks, handling mail and telephone calls, generating enthusiasm, and…

Investigated use of standardized questionnaires to establish organizational characteristics of group day-care providers in self-assessments. Examined processes by which nurseries instigate group discussing of self-assessment procedures, establish priorities for change, develop action plans, and implement change. Identified several suitable…

This planning guide, written for those developing new education programs and those attempting to improve existing educational services, uses a family planning education program to illustrate the planning process in a practical, step-by-step approach. Each of the five chapters - How to Plan and Evaluate Your Program, Client Education, Community…

This report by the Department of Education examines the progress made by the Student Financial Assistance (SFA) program in reaching its objectives. The report notes that for objective 1, customer satisfaction, more than 4 million direct loan records have been processed and over 1 million updates applied since winter 1999; that 84 percent of school…

College public relations officers are urged to incorporate regular and systematic evaluation into program administration. The process of planning public relations activities would include qualitative research to identify issues; audience-specific surveys to gauge attitudes; action to accomplish objectives; and measurement of that action's…

A mortgage services company conducted a cost benefit analysis of a computer-based training program for its payment application process. A test group showed a 21% increase in speed of making payments, an 81% increase in accuracy, a reduction of average training time by nearly 65%, and improved morale. Program design, development, authoring, and…

Drawing from the experiences of Rio Salado Community College (Arizona) in implementing Total Quality Management, discusses common barriers to change (e.g., time, aversion to change, and pitfalls of change); leadership failure as a cause of failure in TQM implementation; and the importance of constancy of purpose, employee empowerment, and…

This final report describes the activities and accomplishments of a 3-year model demonstration early intervention network serving infants who are deaf-blind and their families. The primary goal of the project was to build the capacity of early intervention programs. Sixteen early intervention programs participated in at least one component of the…

An overview is presented of the objectives of the Far West Teacher Corps Network. A description is given of the development of the network and achievements in the areas of community involvement, inservice teacher education, exceptional child programs, management information systems, and project management and evaluation. Chapters are included on…

In September 1994, the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education issued standards for the State Postsecondary Reporting Entity (SPRE). To comply with these standards, New Mexico State University-Alamogordo (NMSU-A) decided to use its integrated Assessment and Strategic Planning (IASP) process, developed during a pre-accreditation self-study in…

In September 1994, the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education issued standards for the State Postsecondary Reporting Entity (SPRE). To comply with these standards, New Mexico State University-Alamogordo (NMSU-A) decided to use its Integrated Assessment and Strategic Planning (IASP) process, developed during a pre-accreditation self-study in…

Papers by teacher education practitioners, on the topic of evaluation of teacher education programs, with responses by evaluation experts, are presented: (1) "Teacher Education's Evaluation of Graduates: Where Are We Going and How Do We Know When We Get There?" (J. T. Sandefur); (2) "Requirements of a Data Base for Effective Program Evaluation"…

Defines Total Quality Management (TQM) and describes prerequisites for successful implementation, underlying assumptions, and the cultural barriers hindering implementation. Indicates that TQM's long-term benefits outweigh costs at most colleges. Urges practitioners to rate their schools with respect to the prerequisites and assumptions to…