Written for students, educators, and researchers, "Methods in Educational Research" offers a refreshing introduction to the principles of educational research. Designed for the real world of educational research, the book's approach focuses on the types of problems likely to be encountered in professional experiences. Reflecting the…

This final report discusses the outcomes of a project designed to promote higher standards for Sign Language interpreter preparations programs and to provide an opportunity for such programs to engage in self-examination. The project field-tested a set of program standards and a program self-study process with five Sign Language interpreter…

A holistic approach to evaluating an adult education and training program or service was proposed that is based on consideration of the following: ethics, objectives, stakeholders, coverage, effects, and costs. According to the proposed approach, the following are among the design features of multimedia instruction to be considered before an…

This collection contains selected presentations from an annual accreditation and quality assurance conference. The papers are: (1) "Turning around Troubled Institutions" (Matthew Goldstein); (2) "Triadic Hierarchical Planning" (William J. Austin); (3) "Edinboro University's Triangulated Institutional Effectiveness…

Intended for use by childcare center directors, this guide presents the Quick Quality Check, a practical method for measuring and improving the quality of care in infant/toddler classrooms. The four chapters of the guide discuss the specifics of the Quick Quality Check method for both infants and toddlers, including the instrument development, as…

To get a valid picture of program impact via comprehensive data collection, combined with a focus on standards, an evaluation of a professional development program for elementary and secondary level teachers of science was carried out at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. This paper presents selected examples from the program evaluation, designed…

This guide is an evaluation that can help one answer relevant questions about improving a reading or language arts program such as: Are there changes that need to be made? Is a stronger commitment needed to strengths identified in the program? and Are specific resources needed to make it more successful? The manual points out that if an improved…

This report presents (in a non-technical way) the process the Carnegie Hall program evaluators used to assess student learning during the 1996-1997 LinkUp! Program. Although the report contains documents that are specific to that particular year's theme, the process and examples included may be helpful to educators in other arts organizations who…

This volume, one in a series of three monographs, is a guidebook to evaluating campus diversity initiatives. Chapter 1 introduces campus diversity initiatives. Chapter 2, "Evaluation and Diversity," explores the need for assessment of such initiatives. Chapter 3, "Designing a Campus Diversity Evaluation," presents general concepts and guidelines…

Collaborative, participatory, and empowerment research (D. Fetterman and others, 1996) presents particular challenges and special rewards for evaluators working with children. This paper describes some of what one evaluator learned from the process of designing and using in data collection and analysis a structured interview for children (ages…

In 1995 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed the Health School Menus Initiative (HSMI) to ensure that school age children are provided meals that are consistent with dietary guidelines and current nutrition information. The USDA developed review instruments to evaluate the implementation of the HSMI nationwide. These…

A symposium on educational evaluation was held to celebrate the career of Robert E. Stake. Contributions, which relate to many aspects of educational evaluation, include: (1) "The Issue of Advocacy in Evaluation" (Ernest House and Kenneth Howe); (2) "The Meaning of Bias" (Michael Scriven); (3) Commentary on Ernie House and…

Presents the contributions that observational methodology is making in the evaluation of early childhood programs. (Author/RK)

In New York State, a spry venture called Project Change seeks to reinvigorate early childhood education by revitalizing the teacher. (Editor)

Describes the use of audio-visual-tutorial methods in chemistry teaching which was reinforced by color slides, study guide, and laboratory experiments. Concludes the presence of satisfactory results when a minimum rate of progress was set out in advance. (CC)