This entire issue of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) Newsletter is concerned with evaluation. In addition to introductory essays on the function of evaluation in curriculum evaluation, especially formative evaluation, the issue contains summaries of the evaluation studies of three newer BSCS products: "Biological Science:…

A television series focusing on the development of an interpersonal relationship between parents and their young children was designed during 1975-1976. The design was preceded by a thorough national search for existing materials on parenthood, a literature review, a needs assessment study, and the goal formulation. A one-hour experimental…

This paper reports the results of a case study of the process of formative evaluation in the development of one unit of Individualized Science (IS). It is an analytic description of the curriculum project's experiences in formative evaluation rather than an evaluative critique. Following an introductory explanation, the IS program and the IS…

Describes the chronological development and data collection processes used in evaluating two construct lesson plan courses concurrently offered by the American College, and comments on an earlier published article by Danny G. Langdon. (Author/JEG)

Both the need for, and the difficulties of, school effectiveness evaluation are examined, especially the setting of useful and objective performance standards. Several potential indicators and evaluation methods are reviewed. (SJL)

Future trends that involve either faculty development workers, their constituencies, or the milieu within which they exist are as complex as the future of higher education and are interrelated. (JD)

Student cognitive performance data and affective reactions provided the basis for a formative evaluation of this neuroanatomy curriculum for freshmen medical students. The cerebral hempispheres topic area was marked by poor cognitive performance and low ratings in lecture quality. Videotapes designed to augment neurophysiology also received low…

The concept of human resource planning in personnel administration is gradually reintroducing the need for control over personnel functions as is usually demanded of other functions such as production and finance. (Author/TA)

Presents a model or classification scheme for the types of information that could be collected to aid in formative evaluation of career education instructional products, and compares professional and legal product directives to conduct educational product evaluation to evaluation science's weak response to these mandates. (Editor/TA)

This research was done to determine if a random sample of normal first-grade children would demonstrate performance changes on a process assessment task when differential reinforcers were employed. A number of students improved under one of the reinforcers, but an equal number demonstrated depressed performance. (Author)

A balanced reading program must--in addition to providing for children's reading skill needs--include a well-planned "affective component" which provides for the development of their interests, attitudes, and personal values in relation to reading for information and enjoyment. (Author)

The significance of incorporating information regarding nonprogram factors as well as program factors in evaluation of teacher education programs is examined. (MM)

Focuses on the first of three stages of the path evaluation procedure for instructional software, performing the preliminary evaluation. The three main steps involved in preliminary evaluation are (1) a program is chosen for evaluation; (2) information is exchanged with the faculty developer; and (3) the instructional designer reviews the software…

An instructional improvement program in Hinsdale School District, Illinois, succeeded by emphasizing formative evaluation, administrator evaluation, and long-range planning. Participants learned that a new program should be consistent with district goals, focus on staff development, and acquire top-level commitment and resources. (CJH)

Program theory can be used to improve programs and policies. This article describes a set of techniques for complicating and simplifying program theory, referred to as conceptual and action heuristics. Methods such as analyzing metaphors, clarifying concepts, mapping, component assessment, causal modeling, and decision analysis are discussed. (JAZ)