The first of two related pamphlets, this guide provides information on how to conduct cost-outcome analyses, with an emphasis on measuring costs. After an introduction that delineates the purpose of the two-part series, the pamphlet is divided into six major sections. The first section, "definitions and rationale," introduces…

Following a discussion of a number of objective methods of program evaluation, the author recommends a more subjective or existential model. Described briefly are the behavioral objectives model, the goal-free model, the systems analysis model, the decision-making model, the accreditation and adversary models, and the transactional model. The…

Noting that there are no de facto standards by which to measure and evaluate U.S. depository library collections, this article reviews developments in the evaluation of public libraries and recommends output measures based on public library practice for depository collections. Specific measures for the depository community are also suggested. (31…

The utility of cost-benefit analysis in program evaluation is illustrated using hypothetical examples of the consequences of natural environments service provision. Areas for further research related to cost and benefit implications are presented. Early intervention programs can use the cost-benefit framework to evaluate the social impact of…

Steps for taking the guesswork out of predicting a school's financial outlook include gathering extensive information on the school system's financial condition; sorting, assessing, and ranking the data; and organizing the information into a presentable, comprehensible form, if possible with the help of a microcomputer. (JBM)

The purpose of the School Library Resources Program was to provide direct support to local public and non-public schools in their efforts to develop and maintain high quality library and media resources as an adjunct to their instructional program. There were two major emphases in the 3-year old program during the 1984-85 year. The first was to…

The monitoring process and the role of monitoring in mental health center decision making are discussed in relation to information systems. Monitoring requires an information system based on the center's annual plan for programs and budgets. This system must contain at least minimal data on client movement, services, staff activity, and costs. The…

This book focuses on and utilizes the methodology and tools of systems analysis and operations research to demonstrate their use in planning for the future and meeting public demands for information on how tax money is being spent by educational administrators. The range of possible and relevant applications is demonstrated by a step-by-step…

This report describes efforts to develop and implement a technique for using information on school performance as a tool in improving planning and management within a large urban school system. The Urban Institute and the Atlanta schools are attempting to demonstrate a technique for grouping schools on the basis of their student composition,…

This report presents the findings and implications of some research on the relationships of some educational inputs and reading performance of disadvantaged California Title I pupils which utilized a highly simplified model of the compensatory education process. The data for the study were gathered by questionnaire administered in personal…

What difference are we making? How do we know? How can we show it? These questions about program performance are asked by adult literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers, program administrators, and funders. This guide is designed to be used by local adult education programs to facilitate a systematic inquiry process…

Data for this evaluation of the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) School Library Resources Program as operated during the 1983-84 school year were collected via surveys of library media specialists and teachers. The stated objectives of the program scheduled for attainment by June 1984 called for planning a pilot program for…

This document reports the Center's current thinking about PPBS and data-based educational planning. In the introduction, PPBS is defined, the usual conceptualization of PPBS is outlined, current pressure to adopt PPBS in public education is discussed, and current efforts at such implementation are reviewed. The second part deals with basic…

Data for an examination of budget analysis in continuing education were collected using personal interviews with the continuing program directors at four institutions. The institutions represented public and private, degree and nondegree continuing education programs. Despite practitioner-oriented data to draw upon, a literature review identified…

The evaluation process and results asociated with 1989-1990 reading (kindergarten through grade 12) and language arts (kindergarten through grade 5) programs of the Des Moines (Iowa) Independent Community School District are presented. The evaluation is divided into four parts: context; input; process; and product. Language arts instruction…