Background: The literature contains very few studies that focused on evaluating the impact of professional development activities on student learning. And, many of these studies failed to determine whether the professional development activities met their primary goal--to improve the learning process. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use…

This analysis responds to a generation of criticism leveled at 1:1 laptop computer initiatives. The article presents a review of the key themes of that criticism and offers suggestions for reframing the conversation about 1:1 computing among advocates and critics. Efforts at changing, innovating, and reforming education provide the context for…

This study presents the findings from the first-year evaluation of the Round Rock Independent School District's (ISD) Digital Learning Classroom project, an initiative focused on the improvement of English Language Learners' (ELL) learning using interactive whiteboard (IWB) technology. An objective of the evaluation was to determine the extent IWB…

The Committee on Education and Labor strongly recommends the adoption of H. R. 2148, a bill that, with two major additions, would basically reenact Project Follow Through for an additional year as it is currently authorized under the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981. The two additions would provide for review and evaluation of what has been…

A look at Systematic Program Assessment Model (SPAM), a process which will enable administrators to systematically plan, diagnose, and assess educational programs. (Author/HB)

A discussion of the U.S. educational media programs based on distribution by the ATS-6 satellite. (HB)

The author's concerns about California's proposed external assessment system center around: a) the dual role of the Commission for Teacher Preparation and Licensing; b) lack of involvement of teacher educators in the process; and c) the amount of time and effort involved. (HMD)

The effects on response rate of familiarity with survey sender was investigated in a study involving the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty. The study was part of a mail survey of 3,467 citrus producers in 23 counties in Florida. Half (1,790) of the producers on the agricultural agent's mailing lists were…

The report presents findings from an evaluation of an academic high school in Edmonton, Alberta. Following Stake's Responsive Model, the various stakeholder groups (such as trustees, administrators, staff and students) were identified and interviewed or given questionnaires. Observations are presented in terms of four topic areas: (1)…

Empirical literature on two types of hearings, and their applicability in evaluating educational programs, is reviewed. An introduction describes the use and nature of hearings and distinguishes adversary hearings, in which two parties argue opposing sides of an issue, from committee hearings, in which a variety of positions are presented to a…

Evaluators are becoming increasingly specialized and new techniques developed in one subfield are often not well known in other subfields. Goal Attainment Scaling is a procedure originally developed to evaluate individualized treatment outcomes in mental health agencies. However, as a general evaluation procedure it also provides a flexible tool…

The Project on Secondary Analysis at Northwestern University is funded to (1) test and develop new methods of evaluating educational programs, and (2) reanalyze existing evaluation data to assure that estimates of program effects are as unbiased and unequivocal as possible. This paper examines the topic of secondary analysis and describes some of…