Governments, organizations, and companies are generating copious amounts of data and analysis to support education decision-making around the world. While continued investments in data creation and management are necessary, the ultimate value of information is not in its "production," but its "use." Herein lies one of the…

Premature application of quantitative indicators formerly used for individual assessment and research to bureaucratic decision making can produce side effects that are dysfunctional in nature. In order to illustrate this phenomenon, the author reviews a general literature and utilizes examples form mental health care. (Author/BW)

The influence of three types of evaluation information was studied in simulated decision-making situations within a community mental health center setting. Administrators reviewed decision problems and were then presented political, cost/benefit, and statistical information one at a time. After each presentation, subjects rated the importance they…

A validation program using the CLEP General Examinations for Social Sciences and History, Humanities, and Natural Sciences is described. Discussed are the meetings and discussions regarding program implications, decision-making processes to determine cutoff scores and credit to be granted, and some problems encountered. (Author/LBH)

In support of Ginsberg's theory (TM 508 964), a third corollary to the Conservation of Discretion Law is proposed: Where possible, the worker will use a statistic not as a statistic but, rather, as an instrument to reduce the workload. Three illustrations are presented: grade point averages, crime rates, and recidivism rates. (BW)

This document contains the appendices for the report prepared by an analysis group that quantitatively presented the status of vocational education and implications for the future. Appendixes A-F contain: (A) documentation supporting the discussion of the vocational education system, (B) documentation supporting the discussion of measuring…

In simulated decision-making situations in a community mental health center, three types of information were studied and rated: political; cost-benefit, and statistical. Only cost-benefit information was rated as significantly influencing administrators' decisions. (MH)

This is the statistical and methodological appendix to a report on the first part of a two phase community action program (CAP) research project. Construction of variables is covered, with attention to changes in income and minority group composition of social service agencies, increased interagency cooperation, publicity, scope of service, social…

Factors related to the contextual aspects of educational administrators' information needs were studied in a statewide survey of 199 administrators of adult and community education programs. Attention was directed to: varying preferences for different information sources, the effects of different decision or program development tasks on…

IN 1954 CONGRESS EARMARKED FUNDS FOR A FARM AND HOME MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO OFFER INTENSIVE ON-THE FARM COUNSELING IN MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING. THIS SIX-PART EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM AS IT WAS CONDUCTED IN NEW YORK STATE, PRIMARILY WITH DAIRY OPERATORS, WAS DESIGNED TO DETERMINE THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS RELATIVE TO LESS INTENSIVE…

In January 1998-March 2000, a new statistical assessment and referral system to improve the job retention of welfare recipients participating in welfare-to-work programs was piloted in the welfare-to-work program serving two counties in southwestern Michigan. The assessment and referral system is based on statistical methods and uses…