Presents a nine-step effectiveness plan for the continuing education department of a community college: dream big; study the president's dream; dream a vision for the department; quantify the program's past; study the district; build an identity; plan a schedule of classes; conduct evaluation; and inform long-range planning. (DMM)

A survey of the 12 major low vision clinics in Australia is reported, focusing on (1) patient characteristics; and (2) planning, organization, outreach, admission procedures, personnel, and services provided. Results showed that increased services were being provided to rural regions through satellite clinics or private optometric practices.…

Describes several models for the design, evaluation, and delivery of developmental programs, including the Expanded Individualized Prescriptive Instruction system (which includes placement, counseling, and intervention phases), and the Developmental Pyramid Model (which includes diagnosis, prescription, evaluation, and advising/tutoring). (DMM)

Traditional and peer-driven outreach interventions for injection drug users (IDUs) were compared using participants (N=682) in a Connecticut outreach project. Results suggest that while education may be an important component in any intervention, it is not sufficient by itself in reducing risky behavior. Peer-directed interventions may be useful…

This article considers areas of general agreement and challenges concerning decision making about such educationally related services as occupational and physical therapy for students with disabilities. It offers guidelines in such areas as teamwork, educational program components, values that underlie decision making, functions of related…

An evaluation of case management services to families on public assistance suggests that a "logic model" and an "open systems" evaluation approach might be useful in program evaluation. A second study describes how the logic model and open systems evaluation were used to develop an evaluation plan for services to homeless…

Describes the prototype of a self-authored project that uses the Internet as a platform for disseminating information on the social geography of Nottingham (England). Provides background to the project along with the project design and content. Reports that both students and the designers' colleagues find the project to be successful. (CMK)

Describes how one public library's preschool storytime solved its overcrowding problem by using parent volunteers to offer more programs with fewer children. Offers tips on recruitment and orientation. Discusses planning and organization by library staff, and the need for ongoing observation and evaluation. (AEF)

This case study describes the multipurpose use of scenarios in a large multinational research project (MOBIlearn) whose aims are to design and develop a pedagogically sound mobile learning environment. Maintaining effective communication and design focus in large consortia is a well-known problem (see Carroll, 2000), and we describe the role of…

In this article, the author gives suggestions on how to make campus diversity initiative work. The author suggests making sure that the following conditions apply to a campus initiative before getting involved: (1) The communications about the initiative, on and off campus, are comparable to those for a capital campaign; (2) The initiative has an…

As part of a move toward data-driven decision making, the University Libraries at Virginia Tech made a commitment to evaluate library instruction systematically. During the design and implementation phase of the program, library faculty developed a variety of tools for evaluating teaching, tested them out, and consulted with educational experts to…

Data on people with disabilities can be used to confirm service needs and to evaluate the resulting impact of services. Disability statistics from surveys and administrative records can play a meaningful role in such efforts. In this article, the authors describe the array of available data and statistics and their potential uses in rehabilitation…

This chapter offers techniques that can help institutional researchers play a more active role in the process of creating and modifying instructional programs to meet workforce needs. (Contains 1 table.)

This chapter examines community college baccalaureate programs and the controversy surrounding these programs. It also looks at models for the delivery of these baccalaureates, emphasizing their curricular focus in states and colleges across the nation. The chapter concludes with questions that should guide decision makers in enhancing student…

Developing, implementing and evaluating programmes of intervention for children and young people on the autistic spectrum are challenging endeavours. In this paper, we adopt a critical approach to research in this area, and attempt to offer an alternative perspective for understanding and interpreting empirical evaluations. We outline and discuss…