The consumer of a service is of primary importance when defining groups most concerned with program impact. Program effectiveness for the consumer may be increased through the use of certain guiding principles based on the extension of existing quality assurance and program evaluation methodologies. (Author/RL)

This article attempts to provide British educators, who face a similar trend, with a synthesis of some major developments in the Accountability in Education movement in the United States. (Author/SJL)

This paper outlines a proposal for "local program coordination" and assesses its consequences; discusses its educational rationale; describes how local coordination would work and what issues must be explored in assessing its merits; and looks ahead to changes that will affect the prospects for implementing this proposal. (Author/BW)

Compares differences in the implementation of management techniques by administrators of student affairs, academic affairs and business affairs. Evaluated their educational accountability. Rank order of management implementation was student affairs, academic and business affairs. Purpose statements and job descriptions were the most widely…

Discussed the State of Colorado's introduction of performance contracting into its relationships with community mental health centers. Describes the nature of the contract and its implementation. Particular emphasis is placed on the implications of the contract for program evaluation. (Author)

Describes the reporting system implemented by Mercer County Community College (New Jersey) to account for the costs of responding to external requests for information. Outlines the procedures for assigning priority to data requests, filling the requests, and reporting costs. Provides samples of forms. (JP)

Outlines eight steps through which college reading, study skills, and writing centers can develop computerized concordance-index systems to facilitate and enhance their programs. Includes sample forms used at Washington State University; tells how the Washington State concordance-index has provided data related to accountability concerns and…

The increasing emphasis on accountability and continuing competency in the health professions, particularly optometry, is examined. The focus of various competency programs and the role of continuing education as a means of maintaining competency are discussed. (Author/JMD)

Representative models of program evaluation are described by their approach to values, and categorized by empirical style: positivism versus humanism. The models are: social process audit; experimental/quasi-experimental research design; goal-free evaluation; systems evaluation; cost-benefit analysis; and accountability program evaluation. (CP)

Suggests that behavioral objectives and minimum competency testing can be effective for monitoring elementary students' mastery of basic skills, but to carry this system into the upper grades and other subject areas risks stultifying learning and inhibiting the free atmosphere that complex thinking and social education require. (SJL)

On the basis of information obtained from a study of former mental patients (which was conducted under a research grant from the state of Florida), the authors point out the critical need for more comprehensive management information systems. Twelve specific steps for designing such a system are outlined. (Author/JH)

The evolution of ethics in law is followed from the harshness of caveat emptor to the humanistic ethics of the 1970s, including a renewal of formal ethics in the post-Watergate era. The impact on universities and individual disciplines of legalizing ethical conduct is examined cautiously. (JMF)

The concept of accountability and its application to Australian higher education are discussed. It is suggested that due to political, financial, and educational characteristics of tertiary education at the national system level there are fundamental and insoluble problems associated with achieving accountability. (SF)

Deals with the concept of actively involving faculty members in the admissions/recruitment process and making faculty members accountable for their inaction as well as their actions in this area. One college's successful attempt at expanding the awareness and influence of the admissions department is cited and explained. (Author)

The rising demand for accountability has had a great influence on the design and use of management information systems. The purposes of accountability, needs assessment, and program evaluation would be well served if a set of indlcators could include information about the outcomes of higher education. (MLW)