In view of social processes, politics and the logistics of conducting evaluations, several implicit assumptions of the field challenged by findings on innovation implementation are reviewed. These studies have major implications for evaluation practice, evaluator roles, the use of evaluation results, and the federal role in evaluation. (Author/CM)

A theoretical model of an effective experiential educational program for training evaluators is described. Two operating programs are assessed against the requirements of the model. The results of a quasi-experimental evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs in producing important educational outcomes are reported. (Author/PN)

In reacting to five recent books on program evaluation, eight evaluation perils are discussed: poor preparation of evaluations, programs with unrealistic goals, the mix-up of models, interpersonal conflicts, the morass of measurement, answering evaluation questions, the secondary evaluator as sniper, and hostility from program staff. (CM)

Areas to consider when conducting personnel performance evaluations are discussed. They include: job related criteria, subjective criteria, performance expectations, performance standards, regular scheduling of evaluations, and formal documentation. Guidelines to deal with problems in these areas are also presented. (CT)

Tested whether independent judges could recognize three different manual-guided psychotherapies, drug counseling, supportive-expressive psychotherapy, and cognitive-behavioral using a special rating form containing scales for the characteristic aspects of each type. Results indicated that manual-guided therapies can be reliably recognized.…

Issues that must be dealt with when training recreation managers about evaluation skills are discussed and training strategies, such as simulation and case studies, are explored. The importance of converting evaluation techniques and theory into useful daily practices is stressed, whether the training takes place in the classroom or in a staff…

Experiments investigate hypothesis that vulnerable self-esteem internals and externals react more defensively to negative intellectual and personality feedback than congruent internals and externals. Suggested that consistently internal view of causation may increase stress in evaluative situations. Discusses implications for understanding…

Issues concerning the professionalization of evaluative research that are discussed in this reply to Morell and Flaherty include: the nature and substance of conflicts in evaluative research, conflicts over methodological perspectives, the role of the evaluator in program planning, and the appropriate uses and users of evaluative information.…

It is suggested that the developmental phases of program evaluators replicate those of the profession of program evaluation. A trend in program evaluation from program amelioration to program advocacy and ultimately to program accountability is projected. (Author/MH)

Evaluated the reliability and convergent validity of three rating scales designed to measure self-concept clarity. The ratings of self, peer, and professional judges were compared. Results supported that a basic difference exists between a participant's self-reported constructs and an observer's judgment of that participant's constructs.…

To better understand policy formation, evaluators should be aware of the perspectives from which legislators view evaluators. Illustrations of the impact of evaluation and research projects on policy are provided. (Available from: Jossey-Bass, Inc., 433 California St., San Francisco, CA 94104, single issue, $6.95.) (Author/GDC)

Behaviorally anchored rating scales (BARS) are no better or worse than other methods when assessed on a quantitative basis but have greater potential when assessed on use and qualitative criteria. Suggestions are offered for extending BARS research to process questions and domains other than performance appraisal. (Author)

Responses of 246 internal and external evaluators about reporting and communicating results show that most use traditional reporting formats, are only moderately satisfied with reporting efforts, recognize many constraints to reporting, and consider high stakeholder involvement essential to effective evaluation. (SLD)

Data from two standard-setting exercises were analyzed using the logistic regression model that assumes no variation in severity of raters, and results were compared with those obtained by logistic regression that allowed for severity variation. Results illustrate the importance of taking between-rater differences into account. (SLD)

Focuses on the process of evaluation capacity building (ECB) in a school district from the perspective of an internal evaluator hired to develop the evaluation function of the district. Shows how the work was originally conceived and why it changed. Emphasizes the core function of the district's Assessment Department, managing the standardized…