The author is increasingly sensitive to the Venn diagram of overlapping expertise in which program evaluation intersects a content area such as public health, urban education, or--in the case of Katherine Hay--international development. Many evaluators practice in these areas of overlap, experts in the evaluation of a specific domain. Given her…

This article presents an interview with Michael Patton whose professional evolution has contributed to the way evaluation in the United States is understood and practiced today. Patton is an evaluation and organizational development consultant who spent 18 years at the University of Minnesota (1973-1991), including 5 years as the director of the…

The paper suggests that schools often jump into gifted education programs impulsively without adequate planning and curriculum construction. It is asserted that gifted programing must adapt to its school and host community. The contributions of organizational development training in program development are noted. Curricular construction is…

A set of key variables the change interventionist might use to improve institutional performance is proposed, and change controlling elements of colleges are identified and discussed. (Author/JEG)

Describes a mentoring program that matched senior managers with high-potential people. Steps include matching mentors and proteges, meeting with participants, implementing the program, and evaluating the program. (JOW)

The author describes how the best training functions operate and what is responsible for their substantial contribution to their organizations. He discusses awareness of the mission, goals, and needs of the organization; line management commitment; emphasis on practicality; using multiple sources; consistent delivery; and evaluation of results.…

Part 1 examines the basics of training, the company's attitude, and training's role in business. Part 2 presents ways of validating training courses: against student perceptions and comments and against course objectives. It describes specific validation methods. (SK)

If museums and libraries are to compete for both public and private funds in an accountability-driven environment, they must develop evaluation practices that provide the most compelling picture of the impact of their services. The two essays in this document present clear arguments for the adoption of a specific approach to evaluation known as…

Offers the following management strategies: (1) enforce appropriate classroom behavior; (2) post classroom rules; (3) stick to a smooth academic routine; (4) organize the classroom environment; (5) develop a self-checking system; and (6) develop filing strategies. The keys to successful classroom management are careful planning, frequent program…

This paper presents and illustrates some principles for organizational development approaches to improving school climate. It discusses a specific structure for facilitating school improvement entitled Program Development Evaluation, and it illustrates the use of school climate assessments for school diagnosis and the evaluation of improvement…

The proposed use of performance indicators for evaluating higher education institutions in a number of countries is critically analyzed, particularly regarding their use for institutional and program rankings and comparisons. A more developmental system retaining positive aspects of performance indicators and encouraging program improvement is…

Preventive consultation, rather than focusing on individuals or specific problems, focuses on the environmental factors within a social setting that contribute to the incidence and prevalence of a specific problem. The ecological paradigm is a useful assessment for directing the design of a preventive consultation. The design focuses on the life…

Key elements of a continuum of services for individuals with autism and other severe behavior disorders are described, focusing on development of a strong central organization; funding; staff recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation; program evaluation; outreach parent training; home-based early intervention; vocational training;…

Colleges and universities that have begun transformational changes are seeing strong, positive results, including better service to students, faster completion of transactions, more accurate and timely information, and reduction in administrative personnel. Three elements are common to the approaches taken to institutional transformation:…

Designed as a forum for the exchange of practical and theoretical information regarding all aspects of personal, professional, and institutional development in postsecondary education, this journal contains articles, announcements, and resource reviews. The first issue of 1983 includes the following articles: "Institutionalizing Staff, Program and…