Parental evaluations of their children's participation in a school-based sex education program were conducted by interview using a structured questionnaire. Results indicated parental support for the program, and the evaluation provided information for program revision. (Author/DF)

A study was conducted to see if inservice training for extension agents made a difference, especially in knowledge acquisition. The study's conclusion was that in at least the cognitive area a significant change had taken place. Agents who attended the evaluation workshop had significantly greater knowledge in the area of evaluation than agents…

This conference summary presents the views of five early childhood special education professionals, each of whom recommended one child outcome measure and one family outcome measure for use in a typical early childhood special education program serving children from birth to five years with a range of handicapping conditions. (Author/JW)

Defines productivity as the ratio of outputs to inputs. Describes ways of using productivity measures in comparing instructional approaches, program implementations, and longitudinal trends. Offers cautions about potential misinterpretations of productivity comparisons, using a hypothetical analysis of the productivity of four specific…

Presents results of a national survey of training and development executives concerning the state of U.S. employee training. Examples of the topics covered by the survey include corporate philosophy, staffing considerations, needs assessment, training participation, program topics, methods and materials, and program evaluation. (CT)

Teleconferencing technology categories--audio, video, audiographic, and computer--are defined and then discussed by describing the equipment needed, providing examples of test cases, and offering research regarding the effectiveness of the technology as a teaching method. The article concludes with implications of telecommunications technology for…

The authors argue that relatively few local governments conduct rigorous cost-benefit evaluations of their supervisory training and management development programs. The authors conclude that more attention to upper-level evaluation is warranted and provide an evaluation grid with practical suggestions for each level of training program evaluation.…

Various types of human resource accounting systems are described and analyzed: asset models, expense models, the utility formula, cost/benefit analysis, and a comprehensive program design. Steps in this last design (e.g., review all jobs in the organization, analyze training needs for targeted jobs, determine training programs that have the…

Using examples from government program evaluation studies, six areas where research synthesis is more effective than individual studies are presented. Research synthesis can: (1) help match treatment type with recipient type; (2) explain which treatment features matter; (3) explain conflicting results; (4) determine critical outcomes; (5) assess…

Discusses ways program administrators can do a better job of justifying their curricula in light of high costs and limited enrollments. Describes procedures used at Community College of Philadelphia for assessing new programs (the comprehensive feasibility study) and determining the success of existing programs (the academic audit). (DMM)

A social learning model focusing on intrinsic outcomes of vocational programs is proposed. It would assess technical skills and knowledge, communication skills and literacy, and personal skills and attitudes. Instruments should be devised to measure characteristics of the learning setting, learner involved activities, and nature of consequences of…

By demystifying traditional rational accounting perspectives, the work of Ginsberg (TM 508 964) offers a basis to develop notions of accountability in relation to meaningful work processes. (BW)

Describes results of a survey of "Personnel" readers and human resource managers and/or training directors concerning the nature of training in their firms. Answers concern kinds of training, methods and tools, perceived success of training programs, retraining and special programs, and entry-level skill development. (CT)

The authors suggest that evaluation is best taught not as a separate topic but an integral part of the business and management curriculum. They caution instructors to teach both the positive and the negative benefits of evaluation in business settings. (BS)

The concept of evaluation readiness complements other evaluation planning approaches. Its basic products are the formal program definition and the data inventory framework. Ways to improve timeliness, appropriateness, and use of evaluation are also discussed. (Author/GDC)