Participant perceptions of program effectiveness and impact are undoubtedly a popular focus of Extension program evaluations. However, the effects of participants' characteristics and contextual variables on program perceptions and how the resulting data can be used for program improvement are less explored in evaluation studies. Using data from…

Describes a novel form of citizen participation that has been developed by the Center for New Democratic Processes over the last decade. It is the belief of the authors that these citizen panels can overcome many of the deficiencies of other approaches to participation. Six criteria are suggested for a successful method of participation.…

This review, which is the first review of Head Start home-based programs in more than a decade, employed a telephone survey of all grantees who operated home-based options. Also used were case studies of eight selected programs. Each program participated in an in-depth analysis of program operations and impacts on parents and children. Volume I of…

A study was undertaken of organization development (OD) programs, from the point of view of the organization members who plan and conduct them, to gain information for meaningful planning by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). A questionnaire was returned by 103 of 450 randomly selected OD practitioners. Most respondents had…

A study was conducted to identify the employment history and educative functions of the graduates of the Master of Arts (M.A.) in adult education of the University of Minnesota and their assessment of the M.A. program. A self-administered mailed questionnaire was used to survey the 61 graduates of the program between 1979 and 1986; 54 graduates…

Seventeen hearings on the reauthorization of the Adult Education Act were conducted throughout the country by the National Council on Adult Education during fiscal year 1981, according to the Council's annual report. From testimony gathered from adult educators, other human service professionals, clients, elected officials, appointed…

A study was conducted to produce a graphic representation of (1) the factors that motivate single parents and homemakers in New Jersey toward upward mobility and higher paying jobs and (2) the barriers that these individuals face. Data were collected from 26 sites through 3 mail surveys--demographic data collection form which yielded 101…

Since its passage, the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) has provided nearly $10 billion to state and local agencies to provide job training to unskilled and economically disadvantaged individuals who need training to obtain employment. The General Accounting Office (GAO) studied hard-to-serve JTPA participants and compared the services they…

The Model Career Option Program (MCOP), mandated in 1988 by the Louisiana Legislature, provided funds to pay superior teachers additional salaries for performing a variety of additional services. There were three option categories for teachers in the 1991-92 school years: (1) mentor or peer consultant; (2) supplemental teacher; and (3) staff or…

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a part-time program targeted toward the needs of economically disadvantaged persons aged 55 and older. An evaluation was made of the program, using quarterly reports, program records, and telephone surveys. The evaluation assessed the relationship between participant outcomes and factors…

The objectives of this study were to: (1) compare perceptions of administrators, school board members, students, and vocational agriculture teachers concerning the vocational agriculture programs in Mississippi, (2) determine program strengths and weaknesses in order to improve present programs and plan future ones for Mississippi, and (3) provide…

A study was conducted to identify the factors that lead single parents and homemakers to choose nontraditional job training and the barriers they encounter in this effort. Data were collected from 14 sites in New Jersey through a mailed survey of 73 single parent/homemaker program clients and 10 program directors. The survey found that the…

A multiyear research project was conducted to document and analyze state and local coordination among programs designed to move Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients in Texas from welfare dependency to economic self-sufficiency and to assess the degree to which coordination resulted in movement from welfare into employment. The…

In response to the need for evidence of 4-H impact on youth development, a national, randomly selected adult sample--710 former 4-H members, 743 former members of other youth organizations, and 309 nonparticipants in youth organizations--was contacted by telephone in 1985. The life skills perspective was utilized to measure the impact of 4-H in…

A 1985 national study compared 710 former 4-H members, 743 former members of other youth organization, and 309 nonparticipants in youth organizations to determine impact of 4-H on youth development. The study measured 4-H program effectiveness in developing knowledge/skills, self-expression, and skills for helping others. The study found 4-H…