In January 2014, I began working as an evaluator on an education reform project being implemented by faculty in science and engineering departments at my university. The core goals of the project were for participating faculty members to improve students' learning, engagement, and recruitment and retention in selected introductory-level courses…

High quality induction for novice teachers has reduced the attrition rates for many states. The methods of implementation, components of the induction, and quality of the induction vary from district to district. The purpose of this research was to examine the components of novice teacher induction which may have a positive impact on novice…

Adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently experience social isolation and vocational failure. Although social skills groups are vital, relatively few model programs have been developed for this age group. This article reviews the model and evaluation of the Aspirations program, an 8-week social and vocational…

"Illuminative evaluation," as defined by Parlett and Hamilton, "is not a standard methodological package but a general strategy. It aims to be both adaptable and eclectic. The choice of research tactics follows not from research doctrine, but from decisions in each case as to the best available techniques; the problem defines the…

Teachers prefer that staff development be continuous, relevant, and integral to their jobs. A systems approach to staff development contains three basic components: planning, implementation, and evaluation. The proposed model emphasizes how interdependence of these components can be achieved through the use of feedback which facilitates system…

Outlines components for productive and positive staff meetings focusing on evaluation issues. Suggests successful meetings: begin and end on a positive note; have rules that provide direction; set reasonable goals; have teachers list praises and problems; prioritize desired changes or improvements; vary the meeting format; address problems with…

Field research was conducted to evaluate the workgroup meetings of an organization. The evaluation served to determine whether management's established objectives for the meetings were reached and to develop research strategies useful in examining individual communication activities. Two questionnaires (for supervisory/nonsupervisory personnel)…

During the 1973-74 school year, elementary and secondary students in Minneapolis were released from their classes every Tuesday at 2:00 to allow staff members to participate in staff development activities. A variety of different types of meetings were distributed throughout the 37-week schedule: building meetings, citywide meetings, curriculum…

Suggestions and materials are presented to help analyze the messages about human diversity delivered to young children in day care centers through books, materials, and the environment. Ideas for staff meetings, a newsletter handout for parents, and a book and materials checklist are provided. (BB)

Higher Horizons 100 is an articulated approach to compensatory education for four groups fo approximately 100 urban students in grades seven to nine. Working through an instructional team made up of teachers and other specialists, the program is designed to motivate and encourage individual youngsters to react to a student-centered educational…

Since the size of the small school presents difficulties in implementation of in-service programs, program development should be carefully considered. Initially, faculty support must be gained via: (1) careful needs assessment; (2) solicitation and utilization of outside consultants (from universities, the Department of Public Instruction, and/or…

During 1985-86, its first year, the Comprehensive School Improvement and Planning process (CSIP) operated in 156 of 392 New York City schools identified by the State Education Department's Comprehensive Assessment Report (CAR) as most in need of improvement. CSIP offers a holistic approach to school improvement and planning, and is designed to…

THIS STUDY WAS PART OF A LARGER RESEARCH PROJECT CONCERNED WITH NORTH CAROLINA 4-H EXTENSION AGENTS' PERCEPTION OF THEIR ROLE IN THE 4-H PROGRAM. THIS PARTICULAR STUDY DEALT WITH (1) THE DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY AGENTS ENCOUNTERED IN PERFORMANCE OF 37 TASKS APPROPRIATE TO THE 4-H AGENTS' ROLE, AND (2) TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WHICH WOULD HELP THEM IN…