Responds to a critique of this author's article on consideration of purpose and intended use when making evaluations of assessments, commenting on three areas from that critique that warrant further discussion: considering the uses of assessment tools; global quality versus content specificity; and creating a toolkit of measures for examining…

Notes that in teacher education a movement exists to ensure that teaching methods are relevant to trainees' teaching contexts. Examines the effects that this context-sensitive approach will have on the teacher-educator's role and on attempts to ensure that teacher education programs encourage longer-term productive change. (28 references)…

Presents a methodological framework for practice-based research in the field of networked learning, based on a case study evaluation of a networked professional development initiative for information services staff in higher education. The theoretical case for the framework is made with reference to principles associated with contructivist program…

A teacher education program which merged elementary and special education into one major was evaluated using naturalistic inquiry methodology. A discussion is presented on the methodology, the process, the major findings, and implications for evaluation of teacher education programs. (JD)

Described is the evaluation of the Master of Environmental Science program at Monash University (Australia). The design of the evaluation is discussed, and the use of multiple sources of data and an innovative style are highlighted. (Author/CW)

A statistical model is presented for evaluating the effectiveness of the Demerit Points System of Victoria (Australia) in reducing traffic offenses. Estimates of the mean waiting time between offenses were made by maximum likelihood methods. Empirical results with 46,982 drivers--participants in a Driver Improvement Program--support the system's…

This article discusses health fraud in special education. Psychopathology of health fraud, standards by which pseudoscience and quackery are defined, and the complexities of learning disorders are considered. A scale to determine whether an alternative therapy is reasonable is presented. Several popular therapies are used as examples. (Author/PB)

Methods of assessing the general goals for the Pediatric Dentistry Department at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry are discussed. Goals are: (1) to prepare dentists to provide comprehensive dental care for the pediatric patient; (2) to create positive attitudes toward pediatric dentistry; (3) to encourage students to seek to…

Summarizes the objectives, conceptual model, results, and implications of a project called Foster Care Training: A Comprehensive Approach, in British Columbia, Canada, which was designed to illustrate ways in which a networking model can provide increased support and training for participating foster parents. (BB)

Examples of innovative program evaluation techniques developed in several foreign and international settings are presented in a collection of 10 essays. Methods for understanding programs to be evaluated, focusing evaluation, gathering information, analyzing information, and communicating findings and recommendations are discussed. (TJH)

"Action Science" was developed to increase gifted girls' involvement in science. The program, for girls in grades one-nine, emphasizes enjoyment of science activities, parental involvement, female role models, and hands-on investigations. The article includes a rationale for a "girls only" program and program evaluation results. (Author/JDD)

Three postgraduate continuing education programs utilized self-paced reference materials coupled with symposium presentations. Programs 1 and 2 were designed to provide more "active" learning elements (role plays, simulations, etc.) and Program 3 consisted primarily of lecture and discussion. "Active" format participants were…

Discusses the importance of assessing instructional programs by looking objectively at the interrelated factors of student performance, teacher performance, and program effectiveness to determine their relationship to the achievement of goals. Suggests methods that teachers can use to assess whether social studies activities and materials have…

The University of Iowa College of Medicine developed an independent study component for its Introduction to Clinical Medicine course. An evaluation of instructional software in order to determine its value to the course is described. (Author/MLW)

This article summarizes the evaluation of a university-based summer music festival and academic program sponsored by a school of music and held in a semi-remote community (Starret) in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Strategies employed by the evaluation team assessed public relations, faculty and student development, and cultural awareness. (TJH)