A theory-driven approach to evaluation (TDE) emphasizes the development and empirical testing of conceptual models to understand the processes and mechanisms through which programs achieve their intended goals. However, most reported applications of TDE are limited to large-scale experimental/quasi-experimental program evaluation designs. Very few…

The purpose of this paper is to identify some variations among experimental programs and discuss the manner in which such variations seem to affect a program's success. To accomplish this purpose an in-depth analysis of a few major preschool intervention studies is made in terms of four pertinent variables: (1) Curriculum Model (2) Home…

AN EXPERIMENT WAS CONDUCTED TO TEST THE HYPOTHESIS THAT A GRADUATE-LEVEL COURSE COULD BE TAUGHT EFFECTIVELY WITH A SERIES OF TAPE RECORDED LECTURES. A RESEARCH METHODS CLASS WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS WHICH WERE EQUATED ON THE BASIS OF SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE AS WELL AS SCORES ON TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACHIEVEMENT PRETESTS. THE CONTROL SECTION WAS…

The "Curriculum for Meeting Modern Problems" was tested by the Project Evaluator in 36 Classrooms in 10 communities within the State of Ohio. Two areas of investigation were established. The first area was conceived as follows: Do students who are subjected to the experimental treatment learn to apply their knowledge about behavior and…

Project Head Start and Project Follow Through are jointly exploring the effectiveness of 12 different educational approaches, or models, for the education of young children from poverty families. Investigations include study of (1) the effect of a continuous intervention program which begins with Head Start and extends through third grade, (2) the…

Reports investigation of pupils' musical achievement resulting from a "new" music education program using creative instrumental activities. Analysis indicated significantly better achievements for pupils taught by the "new" program than those in a traditional type of program. (JD)

Students who did not meet the minimal admissions standards of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, were enrolled conditionally in the summer quarter of 1971. For these 67 students, the requirement for completion of at least 12 hours in their first quarter at the university, with a grade-point average of at least 1.00 in order to continue in the…

The Virginia Beach City School System has utilized an experimental school year plan known as 45-15. Under this plan, schools remain in session throughout the year and students are assigned to one of four attendance cycles which begin 15 days apart. As a result of the staggered attendance pattern, only three groups (cycles) of students are in…

An experimental Basic Electricity and Electronics course (BE/E) utilizing a lock-step, instructor presentation methodology was developed and evaluated at the Service School Command, Great Lakes. The study, directed toward the training of lower mental group, school nonqualified personnel, investigated comparative data on test performance, attitude,…

This study develops and tests an instrument to assess the fidelity of the intended program, i.e., experimental treatment in the evaluation of a preschool program. During the school year (1972-73) CEMREL (Central Midwestern Educational Lab) investigated the consequences of different levels of training on implementation of the Demonstration and…

Characteristics of three experimental programs used to compare participants to each other and to a group of students in the regular curriculum are identified: development of logical thought, broader educational development and career development, and academic characteristics. The programs and their evaluations are described. (Author/MLW)

Phases two and three of an evaluation of an innovative approach to English Composition instruction at Long Beach City College are reported. In the innovative approach, each class was divided into two groups of 15 students each, which met twice each week to discuss topics for writing, to read and revise first drafts of papers, and to discuss basic…

An evaluation of the New York State Experimental Prekindergarten Program was begun in 1975 to provide longititudinal data on the effects of prekindergarten on children's development over a period of 5 years. Data were collected on a variety of items, including children's test performance at various times, family background, ratings by teachers,…

The effectiveness of the instructional team approach as opposed to the self-contained classroom approach was investigated by the Atlanta Public School system from 1966-1969 (under a funding by Title I, Public Law 89-10). The achievement levels of first grade and seventh grade pupils were evaluated, using both techniques at each level. The…

Two forms of a mathematics achievement test were developed for use in the evaluation of an experimental instructional program at the seventh grade level. Subjects were drawn primarily from minority groups at three urban junior high schools; all were of approximately normal scholastic aptitude, but one year or more behind their peers in mathematics…