This paper presents a model for continuous, systematic evaluation of ongoing programs and specifies data needed for decisionmaking in the areas of program adoption, curtailment, or expansion. These data give the decisionmaker the necessary information for program planning in today's sophisticated educational environment. (Author/RA)

A review of four models of instructional materials evaluation is presented to synthesize the state of the art of such evaluation. A model for evaluation is then developed which includes the following elements: (1) context evaluation and needs assessment, (2) input evaluation, (3) determination of resources, (4) program planning, (5) program…

The Research and Planning Division at Ontario Educational Communications Authority undertakes formative, summative, background, and policy research to provide better educational services to audiences via electronic and associated media. Research activities are carried out by three groups. Planning and Development formulates long term plans,…

A course evaluation plan, which utilized midsemester questionnaires and personal interviews, and was based on Stake's responsive approach to evaluation, was implemented during a doctoral seminar. The validity of the plan is attributed to its focus on portrayals and narratives rather than preordinate objectives, experimental controls, or criterion…

Group supervision behaviors were organized into categories representing requirements of effective group supervision. To determine the requirements for effective supervision in groups, reports of behaviors exhibited by a physicain and by a behavioral scientist were collected. Results yielded an empirical account of group supervision to augment the…

The paper discusses early research on evaluating services for Australian disabled persons, the Schonell Evaluation Procedure (SEP) developed for use in Activity Therapy Centres (adult continuing education programs), the modification of SEP for use in special schools for children, and emergent and unmet needs for evaluating adult special education…

Describes the field evaluation process used to assess the validity, effectiveness, and efficiency of an interactive microcomputer simulation program designed for teachers and student teachers preparing to work with emotionally or behaviorally handicapped elementary school-age children. Results indicate the simulation was judged to be useful. (MBR)

Describes the development and evaluation of interactive computer-based formative tests containing multiple choice questions based on Bloom's taxonomy and their use in a core-level higher education business statistics course prior to graded examinations to determine where students are experiencing difficulties. (MBR)

Describes how the Educational Software short course produced by the Open University Micros in Schools project trains inservice teachers to select suitable educational software for classroom use. Findings of a formative evaluation of an activity in the course in which teachers examined three commercially produced educational software packages are…

Evaluation of Tanzanian experiences in developing nationwide public library system under conditions of limited resources and unlimited user demands discusses six principles as basis for alternative strategy: liquidating irrelevant librarianship theories; establishing valid performance measures; adopting cost-effectiveness; giving primacy to…

Describes a video monitoring technique for detailed analysis of student use of computer-based learning programs which produces a synchronized record of computer output and student use; a study concerned with developing computer-based learning programs in chemistry which utilizes the technique; and advantages and disadvantages of the technique.…

Reports findings of a nationwide survey to determine how select number of libraries (38 respondents) have conducted projects to convert retrospective holdings to machine-readable form. Analysis of the data in areas of planning, budget, effects on user services and cataloging/output, staff, training, and evaluation is discussed. Two sources are…

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) (In)formative Assessments: New Tests and Activities Can Help Teachers Guide Student Learning (Robert Rothman); (2) Recent Research on the Achievement Gap: How Lifestyle…

This note series is intended to summarize lessons learned and key policy findings on the World Bank's work in education. Over the past 20 years China's education sector has provided many lessons for countries that are approaching Universal Primary Education (UPE). The most important lesson may be that the need for educational reform does not…

Hugh Burkett, director of The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement, recently was asked to give the keynote speech at On the Right Track 4, an annual school improvement symposium for California school practitioners. In this month's newsletter, Dr. Burkett shares highlights from his remarks. He sets forth six things that should…