Reviews research that presents the criteria by which adult literacy program effectiveness can be assessed. (MG)

Program evaluation as a methodology is discussed, and its application to government export promotion programs is examined. Because the variety of approaches to export program evaluation, resulting data are often of limited usefulness. A programmatic approach to program evaluation is proposed. (TJH)

Naturalistic evaluation aims to portray a program holistically, summarizing and interpreting concerns and issues, and presenting consideration beyond the data from respondent and evaluation input. This article shows how this approach was used to evaluate certain Getty Institute Discipline-Based Art Education training programs. (MLH)

Presents results from a study of three community development models. The data are used to construct a model of the community development process as it is remembered and experienced by community workers and citizen participants involved. The model shows the change process in community development activities. (JOW)

An approach toward integrating evaluation into a program at its inception is presented as a way to increase utility and cost-effectiveness. Examples illustrate that such integration, combining internal and external evaluation, is preferable to independent and separate evaluation in terms of the cost to stakeholders. (SLD)

A research design for evaluation of environmental education centers by means of the case study method is explained. Validity, reliability, and some ethical principles when writing the report are also mentioned. An example is given of a pilot case study conducted by the author. (LZ/Author)

Defines authentic assessment as an approach to assessment that is designed to correspond as closely as possible to real world experience. Discusses the rubric, a tool that is being used across the curriculum, and how it can be used in technology education. Rubrics are scoring devices designed to assist in clarifying, communicating, and assessing…

After studying numerous schools involved in restructuring, Fred Newmann and his research team concluded that reform-minded schools must address how learning can have intellectual quality and communities of learners can be built. This interview summarizes insights from five studies recently published by the Center on Organization and Restructuring…

In many evaluations, presenting probability distributions of cost-effectiveness results offers a convenient way to show the likelihood of various conclusions given the uncertainties in the inputs. The techniques presented in this paper should be useful for many programs characterized by controversy over perspectives, assumptions, and dollar…

Evaluation of gifted programs can help educators plan appropriate curriculum, enhance implementation, and judge program impact. Evaluating planning provides useful information for establishing need, justifying certain curricular approaches, and documenting the integration of services with the school program. Cost-effectiveness and program-impact…

The state-of-the-art in program evaluation and the latest approaches to teacher evaluation are described. A general model for personnel evaluation is presented, and a design is suggested for merging the two. The basic premise is that all educational evaluation rests on the evaluation of student needs. (SLD)

Surveys examples currently used to plan and conduct evaluations, perceiving a shift from rationalistic (logical positivist) to naturalistic (constructionist) evaluation. Presents a model of evaluation planning, implementation, and management incorporating both examples by calling for evaluative data undergirded by descriptive data generated by an…

Y. S. Lincoln and E. G. Guba consider L. Sechrest's comments on their book "Fourth Generation Evaluation" as less a criticism than an attempt to demolish. D. M. Fetterman also objects to much of Sechrest's address. E. J. Posavac generally agrees with conclusions of Welch and Sternhagen. (SLD)

The article presents and illustrates use of an evaluation model for assessing programs for the gifted where tight experimental control is not possible. The model consists of four components: ex post factor designs including intact groups; comparative evaluation; strength of treatment; and multiple outcome assessment from flexible data sources. (DB)

This article presents a framework for conducting effective evaluations of programs for gifted students, reflecting current best practice. The evaluation framework proceeds through four stages: preparing for the evaluation, designing data collection and analysis, conducting the evaluation, and reporting findings and follow-up. A planning matrix is…