A successful review of program quality, it is suggested, requires a clear understanding by all participants of what is meant by "quality." Academic quality is defined. Much of the confusion about assessing program quality results from an inability or unwillingness to try to determine exactly what is to be assessed. (MLW)

Program evaluation is seen as an organized process of collecting and disseminating information to assist administrators and faculty in making judgments about the value of academic departments and programs. The decision-making process depends upon the network of people designed to implement the system of program evaluation. (MLW)

Introduces a practical approach toward the quality control of workshops given in the field of drug abuse prevention and in community mental health settings. Describes the workshop evaluation questionnaire which probes: (1) respondents' overall reaction to the workshop; (2) workshop effectiveness; and (3) application of techniques to participants…

Evaluation is one method of determining accountability in human service programs. A generic evaluation approach contains several steps: (1) stating a purpose for evaluating the program; (2) identifying evaluation questions; (3) identifying the nature of evaluation information; (4) collecting evaluation information; (5) analyzing evaluation…

To influence children in deciding not to smoke, a program, Wisconsin Athletes Against Cancer, was designed and implemented in grades four through eight. Athletes served as role models and delivered anti-smoking messages. Athlete preparation, the presentation format, and feedback and evaluation methods are discussed. (JN)

Provides an example of a comprehensive form for obtaining specific evaluative data related to teacher education programs. Reports on the findings of preliminary investigations that used the form. (FL)

Traces the history of military efforts to systematize the design, development, installation, and operational training for a weapons system and discusses the current status of criterion referenced instruction in Army training programs. Steps being taken to remedy identified problems are described. (MER)

Answers criticisms by Mary Anne Bunda, Ernest House, and Mary Kennedy. Discusses, among other issues, legal authorization for the use of higher quality evaluation designs and the use of evaluation research results. (GC)

Investigated the feasibility of implementing the Profile Analysis Technique (PAT) in the Colorado Division of Rehabilitation. PAT profiles and questionnaires were sent to counselors, supervisors, and administrators. Although rehabilitation personnel expressed dissatisfaction with some aspects of the PAT, they generally felt it provided useful…

The consumer of a service is of primary importance when defining groups most concerned with program impact. Program effectiveness for the consumer may be increased through the use of certain guiding principles based on the extension of existing quality assurance and program evaluation methodologies. (Author/RL)

Three standard techniques for the analysis of geographic data are presented and their use in evaluation is discussed. These three techniques are: geocode analysis, trend surface analysis, and social area or ecological analysis. (CTM)

Evaluation is discussed as an information-gathering process. Currently popular evaluation programs are reviewed in relation to decision making and various approaches that seem to contribute to the decision utility of evaluation (e.g. classical approaches, Bayesian approaches, adaptive designs, and model-based evaluations) are described. (Author/AL)

Reports the evaluation results of a leadership development program for rural citizens. Results suggest that (1) one-week training efforts are less effective than longer, more intensive training programs, and (2) more effective programs include both classroom study and on-site exposure to community development practice. (Author/CT)

Present federal methods of monitoring the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142) only verify compliance with the law. They do not evaluate the law's effectiveness in improving disabled children's functional abilities. A number of educational parameters and outcomes can be used to measure PL 94-142's efficacy. (RW)

The impact of registration procedures on advising at Western New England College is analyzed, and some constructive changes are identified. A checklist for analysis of how well the registration process serves the needs of students and their advisors is provided. (MLW)