Evaluations of creativity training programs are described: (1) Productive Thinking; (2) Purdue Creative Thinking; (3) Parnes; (4) Myers-Torrance workbooks; and (5) Khatena. Conceptual and methodological problems are discussed. Although gains on tests of divergent thinking have been noted, it is unclear whether these programs improve real-life…

The poor record of affirmative action plans in government demonstrates that the Carter administration's plan to reform the Civil Service is not working. It is the management that has failed to take the steps necessary to translate pronouncements into practice. (Author/EB)

A study to find valid indicators of the long-run effects of Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 (CETA) manpower programs that would meet prime sponsors' needs for short-term feedback indicated that the proxies being used were not strongly correlated with success in CETA programs. (MF)

This 1971-1973 evaluation of Lincoln County's Exemplary Career Education Project showed that project students in grades 1-6 excelled control groups in language development, mathematics, and occupational awareness. Ninth and tenth graders improved in attitudes and competence related to career maturity. Student, parent, teacher, and community…

This article discusses prereferral consultation and intervention assistance in educating children with and without disabilities. The article focuses on the history, rationale, and philosophical perspectives of prereferral intervention and legal and public policy considerations. The article reviews studies evaluating Teacher Assistance Teams,…

Most research on the effectiveness of therapeutic recreation in substance abuse treatment is either theory-based and programmatic or descriptive. This paper examines the research, noting multicultural and interdisciplinary issues. The few existing studies present generally positive results, though not always due solely to the therapeutic…

The effectiveness of a national counseling program for Australian Vietnam veterans was evaluated by comparing the symptom levels of 146 clients with those of 546 matched nonclient controls. Multivariate analyses show that the positive effects of the counseling are most apparent in areas of alcohol dependence and dyadic adjustment. (SLD)

Reviews efforts to determine the effectiveness of the counseling component in the University of Georgia's developmental studies program, including surveys of former students and current faculty. Reports that all but one student indicated that the counseling was beneficial, while faculty felt that the program addressed important topics. (AJL)

Presents results from a study of the status of distance education in community colleges. Discusses the design, support, and administration of telecourses; staffing and teacher training practices; course offerings; and existing assessment and evaluation studies. Addresses criticisms of distance education and cites research results on its…

Identifies and explains the parameters relevant for self-assessment and accreditation of programs in distance mode institutions. Discusses general perspectives on quality; defining quality in higher education and in open learning and distance education modes; organization structure of open universities; measurement of quality; parameters for…

Discusses steps to building an administrative infrastructure to support high-quality child care, in particular the development of a comprehensive evaluation plan around which measurable objectives can later be assessed against performance. Describes background information needed, situational analysis, collecting current program information, and…

Assigned elementary schools to either immediate postbaseline intervention (PBI) with PeaceBuilders, a school-based violence prevention program, or to intervention 1 year later (PBD). Found significant gains in social competence for kindergarten through second-graders in Year 1, in peace-building behavior in Grades K to 5, and reduced aggression in…

This article provides instruction for caregivers on managing and monitoring psychotropic medication for individuals with autism. Includes 20 questions for caregivers to ask about psychotropic medication, 12 guidelines for caregivers to follow when giving medications, and specific examples of data collection methods to measure the effect of…

This paper describes a six-month service-coordination pilot project (SCPP) designed to improve coordination activities among mental health service providers in a Canadian city. The aim of the project was to improve information sharing and joint treatment planning. Data show no effect of the SCPP, but service providers perceived improvements. (TJH)

The experience of development assistance (donor) agencies with the monitoring and evaluation of their projects in the developing countries is reviewed. The concepts and definitions of monitoring and evaluation are traced and problems and issues that emerged in the 1970's are reviewed. Future directions are discussed. (SLD)