Preschoolers in a model preschool designed to develop children's planning and problem-solving abilities were compared to children in three comparison preschools on measures assessing children's ability to solve problems and plan. Children were also compared on other measures of cognitive ability, including measures of general cognitive…

This paper presents the ARCS model, which is a research-based systematic design model that interfaces with typical instructional design and development models to improve the motivational appeal of instructional materials, of instructor behavior, and of the way in which lessons (or modules) and courses are designed. The description of the model,…

Hypothesis generation and testing is outlined as an additional domain for program evaluators. Program evaluation involves a thorough analysis of the processes that contribute to change (or a lack of change) among program recipients. This process of change is analyzed in two ways: (1) treating programs as naturally occurring field studies; and (2)…

This document contains an executive summary of a study designed to: determine the status of early intervention (birth-to-3) programs for handicapped children in Illinois, to make recommendations for future planning, and develop training modules focused on the findings. It discusses the study's rationale, method, and design; estimates incidence…

"Illuminative evaluation," as defined by Parlett and Hamilton, "is not a standard methodological package but a general strategy. It aims to be both adaptable and eclectic. The choice of research tactics follows not from research doctrine, but from decisions in each case as to the best available techniques; the problem defines the…

A model for describing and assessing the effectiveness of student affairs programs is outlined in this paper as it was presented to the California Community College Student Affairs Association. First, the goals of student affairs programs (i.e., enrichment, involvement, and retention) and the impact of budget constraints on the achievement of…

Data from 86 Early Childhood Education (ECE) projects in Oregon were analyzed using methods prescribed by the Value Added model for ECE evaluation. The extent to which appropriate model implementation procedures were followed is unknown. Thus, the results represent an empirical account of the model's estimates of project impact, rather than a…

This book provides a suggested model for district administrators, Job Service district directors, Private Industry Councils, and others working to create or re-implement in-school job placement programs in Wisconsin high schools. It includes a list of points to be considered and covered in the "statement of agreement" drawn up by…

The author suggests a framework for planning and evaluating continuing education, giving attention to the learner, his objectives, and the learning process; these components are discussed in determining the special characteristics of the continuing education of professional health workers, and a model program is presented. The article is in…

This paper describes a management system for secondary vocational education programs that is based on a cost-effectiveness analysis model. The model described was developed specifically for use in planning and evaluating secondary school vocational programs, although it might be applied to other educational programs as well. The model generates…

The evaluation of instructional programs is necessary in order to document accomplishments, determine cost effectiveness, establish management control, and provide bases for improving the education of students. The responsibilities and technical requirements of an evaluation system involve the function of the following component areas: demographic…

This report by the Comptroller General to the United States Congress discusses the review made of the Department of Education's National Diffusion Network, particularly its efforts to improve Title I reading programs through information dissemination on exemplary projects. Chapter one examines the Department of Education's dissemination…

This paper maintains that evaluation of bilingual programs must not only be true, it must also be just. The evaluator's perception of justice will affect how he/she will determine program effectiveness; consequently, it will color findings and recommendations. Bilingual education programs are, in fact, social action programs, as defined by the…

Educational outcomes are affected by student level, classroom level, and school level characteristics. The fact that educational data are multilevel in nature poses serious analysis questions. Though strong arguments can be made for focusing on a single level of analysis, such studies have several basic limitations: the choice of analytic level…