This paper is addressed to administrators and evaluators in school districts which are initiating bilingual education programs in compliance with a U.S. Supreme Court decision. Major evaluation problems are described and remedies suggested. Each step in the sequence, from needs assessment through final report, is discussed and illustrated. The…

The Using Evaluation Data Form (UEDF) represents a psychological lever for getting a program's decision maker to consider major evaluation findings. The form may be used at any point of the evaluation process when sufficient data exist to support a finding deserving of action or reaction by the project staff. By local policy, it is required for…

Anticipatory evaluation emphasizes the role of evaluation objectives in planning human resource development programs. In this integrated approach, evaluation begins before the program is designed and continues throughout development and implementation. (SK)

This article proposes a conceptual framework for analysis, using some of the ideas embodied in the systems approach, which will enable the investigator to identify the relationships among program operations in a systematic manner, leading to a better understanding of the operations that produce program outputs." (Author)

It should be the supervisor, rather than the staff development expert (training expert), who evaluates the results of a company's training program. All too often, changes reported by the staff development officer are not observed by the trainee's supervisor. (AN)

A project that sends selected public school teachers to work in Job Corps centers is described. (CK)

"The problems of pre-testing the impact of this successful series." (Editor)

Three primary stances on the wisdom of mixing evaluation models while mixing evaluation methods frame the challenges to defensible mixed-method evaluative inquiry. These challenges are addressed by shifting the mixed-method controversy from models toward other critical features of disparate traditions of inquiry. (Author/SLD)

Explores the problems of theory-based evaluation, describes the nature of potential benefits, and suggests that the benefits are significant enough to warrant continued effort to overcome the obstacles and advance its use. Many of the problems are related to inadequate theories about pathways to desired program outcomes. (SLD)

The seven articles in this issue represent an approach to multisite evaluation that has much in common with the tradition of clinical trials. However, this approach shares with cluster evaluation an appreciation for the adjustments that are necessary to reflect the realities of conducting evaluation research in actual service settings. (Author/SLD)

Examines the theoretical foundations of the belief that stakeholder involvement empowers the stakeholders and increases evaluation utilization and the validity of the evaluation. Discusses conditions under which these benefits are realized and situations in which they are not. (SLD)

Discusses the sources and signs of excessive evaluation anxiety in program evaluation and provides some strategies to help evaluators prevent and manage this common problem. Shows how more than technical skills are required to conduct high quality program evaluation. (SLD)

Proposes a method for synthesizing findings within mixed-method program evaluations. The proposed method uses a set of criteria and analytic techniques to assess the worth of each data source or type and to establish what each says about program effect. Once data are on a common scale, simple mathematics allows synthesis across data sources or…

Describes the number needed to treat (NNT) as an indicator of a program's efficacy. L'Abbe plots compare several programs in terms of the event rates that constitute the NNTs. Explains how an evaluator may extend the NNT concept by calculating and plotting event rates on a continuous ordinal basis. (SLD)