This study examines a Wallace Foundation-sponsored initiative aimed at improving the financial management skills and practices of 25 Chicago afterschool providers through training and coaching. Two models for this professional development were provided and each produced long-lasting improvements. Moreover, organizations receiving the…

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) perform an important role in the long-term care system because they provide the majority of paid care to nursing facility residents. Unfortunately, annual CNA turnover often exceeds 100 percent nationally. Many factors account for this, including stressful working conditions, low pay, and limited benefits. The…

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the importance of new employee orientation (NEO) programs, the quality of typical NEOs, and how to improve NEOs. Design/methodology/approach: The paper provides a viewpoint of the importance of new employee orientation programs, the quality of typical NEOs, and how to improve NEOs. Findings: Although western…

Guidance is provided to organizational personnel in establishing a means for assessing the effectiveness of a new performance appraisal system. (TA)

The author offers advice on what organizations can do to enhance the mentoring process. She discusses finding a relevant focus, collecting data about the factors that promote and inhibit developmental relationships, implementing change, evaluating and monitoring impact, and taking the time to involve organizational members in a collaborative…

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…

One model that can serve as a guide for developing a reading program and for making necessary refinements to meet the specific needs of the school system served divides the stages of development into three phases. The first phase, program organization, deals with planning, implementing, and maintaining the program. In other words the first phase…

Describes strategic planning model as means of dealing with social and economic factors affecting camp programs. Details model's five steps: organizing for planning, situation analysis, determining strategic issues, developing plan outline, and implementation and evaluation. Recommends planning process of six months to one year. (TES)

This document contains four papers from a symposium on organization development and change. "The Effectiveness of Total Quality Management: A Response to the Critics" (Douglas H. Smith, Ralph G. Lewis) identifies four effectiveness principles: customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, speaking with facts, and respect for people. "Fast Cycle…

A study of program review at 156 community colleges shows that it is widely used for accountability and program improvement; that substantial use is made of results; and that key leadership support, organizational communication, a clear understanding of purposes, and frequent action on program review recommendations at all organizational levels…

From 2004-2008, capacity to conduct program evaluation was built among the "Network for a Healthy California's" 48 largest local partners. Capacity building was done within a framework of Empowerment Evaluation and Utility-Focused evaluation. Tools included: a Scope of Work template, a handbook, a compendium of surveys, an evaluation…

Introduction: Despite an explosion of interest in improving safety and reducing error in health care, one important aspect of patient safety that has received little attention is a systematic approach to education and training for the whole health care workforce. This article describes an evaluation of an innovative multiprofessional, team-based…

Training interventions can be evaluated by calculating return on investment (ROI) and cost-benefit analysis. The four-level model proposed by Kirkpatrick is the dominant evaluation model used. Calculating ROI has been a critical issue for trainers and executives, but only a few organizations have implemented the process that is considered as…

This study surveyed local interagency coordinating councils (LICCs) required under Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act concerning: the composition of council membership; information regarding frequency of meetings, membership turnover, and other demographic characteristics of the groups; and how well the LICCs are…

This document describes six different approaches to outcomes assessments, approaches that are named in the titles of chapters 2 through 7. The chapters and authors are as follows: "Perspectives on Assessment Policy and Practice" (Bragg, Harmon); "Total Quality Management" (Bragg); "Assessing Student Success" (Harmon);…