At one time the major problems faced by an evaluator involved the best way to collect, analyze, and report data. Today, an evaluator's major problems concern responses to the evaluation report by school superintendents, principals, teachers, unions, and parents' groups. An unwillingness to publicize the evaluation results; the failure to consider…

Ethical conflicts between an internal evaluator's social reform, and an organization's survival motivation are discussed. The evaluator might encounter pressure to downplay negative, and emphasize positive, findings; reinforcement for nonthreatening, routine evaluation activities; greater interest in making the evaluation unit visible than in…

Compares legal case histories to case histories for the evaluation profession. Discusses the nature, place, and use of case histories in the law and tries to envision the nature and use of evaluation case histories. Case histories could provide knowledge and examples of how to do evaluations. (RB)

This article discusses the hardware and software components of three workstations suitable for evaluation researchers, one for those on a limited budget, one for professional researchers, and one for a research team or department. Prices range from $3,000 to $30,000. A wide variety of workstation possibilities is illustrated. (Author/BS)

The importance of addressing the political dynamics inherent in any evaluation research process is discussed. The theoretical orientation contributing to the denial and avoidance of politics is articulated and contrasted with one which posits politics as normative and useful. (Author/LMO)

The Vocational Education Evaluation in Virginia (VEEVA) evaluation procedures were studied. Data from questionnaires completed by evaluation coordinators were organized and are presented in the article. Recommendations and implications provide insights into the improvement of evaluation systems. (DWH)

Investigated the developmental effects of assessorship, i.e., serving as a trained member of an assessment center staff, on managers' (N=80) proficiency in three categories of behavior: acquiring, evaluating, and communicating information about people. Results indicated that experienced assessors were more proficient in these skills. (LLL)

Four legal considerations involved in program evaluation are briefly described: defamation, contract, evaluation malpractice, and confidentiality of sources. Two hypothetical evaluation problems illustrate these legal issues. Suggestions for evaluation practice, based on these legal issues, are presented. (BW)

In a reflective commentary, the authors address the implications of the fact that, in action settings, implementation and evaluation are often carried on by the same person, and they raise the question, "Should evaluation become implementation?" (PN)

The historical development of current controversy over the use of quantitative or qualitative approaches in evaluation is traced. (Author/PN)

In 2003 the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future convened a design team to launch the Teachers Learning in Networked Communities (TLINC) project. The initial one-year phase, funded by AT&T, involved a TLINC design team partnered with four communities, Pueblo, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Maine; and Socorro, Texas. The…

A hypothetical case study provides examples of the inter-rater reliability issues involved in complex performance assessment, focusing on the Baldrige model. A hypothetical team of five evaluators was asked to rate a Baldrige model performance assessment along the seven defined criteria or performance dimensions that comprise the Baldrige model…

Evaluation literature is reviewed through an analytical framework representing issues addressed by major evaluation approaches in education. Ten evaluation dimensions comprise the framework: (1) definition, (2) functions, (3) objects, (4) variables, (5) criteria, (6) audience, (7) evaluation process, (8) inquiry methods, (9) evaluator…

Potential sources of bias are classified as ethical compromises, value inertias, or cognitive limitations. Thirteen specifics of intuitive thinking and judgmental processes are described. The author wishes to alert naturalistic evaluators to common failings. This list can be a useful checklist in reducing, integrating and drawing inferences from…

Interviews with 25 primary and 21 intermediate teachers, all with at least 5 years experience, reveal teachers' perceptions of teacher evaluation and their willingness to participate in teacher evaluation. Results serve as a basis for illuminating particular teacher evaluation practices with an eye toward improvement of teaching. (Author/NEC)