Discusses ways to keep established teaching assistant (TA) training programs vital using a case study of the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis. Identifies seven key elements in the maturation and subsequent revitalization of the TA training program, including leadership, teaching attitude, financial resources, modest…

Discusses the elements of a successful project evaluation that helps determine whether projects are worth funding because they are making a positive difference in student learning and achievement. A successful project evaluation involving the Manchester (New Hampshire) public school district's infrastructure is highlighted. (GR)

Discusses the problematic future of program evaluation, especially in the field of education, in the context of testing and politics and with regard to epistemology. Evaluators must learn to focus on the complex knowledge of program coping and merit, rather than merely tracking simplistic indicator variables. (SLD)

Explores the effects evidence-based practice and the guideline movement will have on evaluation in the future and discusses the impact on evaluation of three aspects of the current information revolution: (1) e-government; (2) new approaches to data access; and (3) real-time evaluation. Also considers the sources of evaluation innovation and the…

Based on a survey of France's elite business schools, suggests some simple, low-cost methods that may help directors of higher education institutions to visualize their school's position in the international market. Identifies indicators to measure a program's internationalization; describes institutional structures, partnerships, and network…

Responses from 573 of 3,000 business schools indicated that case studies were the most frequently used method to assess learning and are perceived to be effective. Group process observation and multiple-choice were less used and perceived as less effective. Faculty often use methods appropriate for grading but make less use of effective methods…

Examines the evaluation of teaching in entire programs, departments, and institutions. Discusses the varying levels of evaluation and their corresponding methodologies, asserting that these indicate the broadening context in which the evaluation of teaching is now taking place. (EV)

A modified Delphi process was used to survey program directors and medical residents to identify indicators of quality in internal medicine residency training. Items rated important by both groups included faculty characteristics such as stability, supervision, clinical skills, and teaching commitment; institutional support; and amount of resident…

Describes the conceptual design, research framework, evaluation components, and analytic strategies that are guiding the evaluation of a demonstration-research effort, the American Stop Smoking Intervention Study (ASSIST). The ASSIST evaluation is a unique analysis of the relationships among social context, public-health activity, tobacco use, and…

Explores some opportunities open to evaluators as practitioners of organizational development and the advantages and competencies evaluators can bring to such initiatives. Presents eight examples of such opportunities. (SLD)

Postsecondary students were sent case studies to analyze and submit via electronic mail attachments. Results of an evaluation indicate that the benefits of using electronic mail for course work far outweigh the disadvantages. (Contains 10 references.) (JOW)

Some of the present approaches for studying adventure education are based on grounded theory, folk pedagogies, and existing social science theory. These approaches share some problems, including: (a) an overemphasis on outcomes without specifying processes, (b) a misunderstanding of how different types of evaluation contribute to theory, and (c)…

In this study, an autism support teacher used a high-probability request sequencing technique to help a middle-school student with autism engage in three transition behaviors. High probability request sequencing refers to a procedure in which 2 to 3 preferred questions, highly associated with compliance, are rapidly given before presenting a low…

Values inquiry refers to systematic investigation of the values relevant to a program, including understanding those outcomes most prized by stakeholders. Although much attention has been given to stakeholder involvement, the literature on value inquiries per se as an approach is limited. This paper demonstrates how several of the steps used in…

Describes the author's experiences in the evaluation training program at Northwestern University (1978-1980) in a postdoctoral fellowship in methodology and evaluation research. Also discusses the value of the friendships and professional relationships formed at that time. (SLD)