This report documents the proceedings of a conference on the validation of exemplary educational programs, products, and practices presented by the Regional Exchange of the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL/RX). It is different from other conference syntheses, as it includes the process for creating the conference as well as the…

Contributing to the debate on the nature of the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act, this report discusses three proposals that would establish standards of performance for vocational education and analyzes experiences from performance standards implemented as part of other social and educational programs, such as the…

Fiedler's Contingency Model of Leadership Effectiveness, which asserts that leadership effectiveness is a function of leadership style and situational context, is the basis for a leadership training program called Leader Match. This study attempts to replicate previous research which has demonstrated improved performance attributable to the Leader…

Schools of the Dallas Independent School District have developed procedures to implement and monitor school improvement measures. The district aims to improve student achievement in four areas: functional literacy, mathematics, reading, and basic language arts. Participants in instructional improvement include teachers, principals, administrators,…

Standards and procedures for approval of teacher preparation programs in Connecticut are presented. The standards are based on recommendations made by the Committee on the Revision of Procedures and Standards for Connecticut Teacher Preparation Programs. Existing criteria for approving teacher preparation programs were reviewed and revised by the…

A plan has been initiated in Georgia to ensure that project directors and evaluators are cognizant of and organized to meet criteria specified in the Identification, Validation, and Dissemination (IVD) guidelines. The evaluation/validation process involves eight steps: (1) evaluator training, (2) proposal screening, (3) critique of evaluation…

This study was the second year of a project that attempted to formulate criteria for project evaluation and funding decisions. Activities were designed to produce measures of project impact for vocational education projects. The second year's work focused on refinement of impact variables, and a survey of directors of vocational education…

The purpose of this monograph is to aid practitioners in gaining federal Joint Dissemination Review Panel (JDRP) approval of career education projects. It helps them understand the importance of designing and implementing a sound evaluation from the early stages of the program, alerts them to common errors or omissions that weaken or destroy…

The verification of application data for the Pell Grant Program was conducted by the Office of Student Financial Assistance at Kansas State University. The study indicated that from an institutional standpoint the federally required validation has led to increased Pell Grant eligibility. (MLW)

This article examines the types of regulation faced by schools offering off-campus programs outside their "home" state of operation. Specifically, the process of approval that an off-campus program on a military base must go through is illustrated. (CT)

This article explores the utilization of qualitative methodologies in program evaluation, the rationale for using these approaches, and the potential qualitative applications within evaluation. It also describes the "scientific" and "artistic" qualitative methodologies, suggests practical qualitative application, and calls for…

Describes the three sequential groupings of elements in the development of a favorable research climate: (1) elements of the foundation of the research program; (2) elements that serve to build momentum; and (3) elements that protect the program against an erosion of purpose, vitality, and creativity. (Author/SMB)

Responds to "Autistic Recovery? An Analysis and Critique of the Empirical Evidence on the Early Intervention Project" (Gresham and MacMillan), which criticizes research showing the effectiveness of the UCLA Youth Autism Project program for children with autism. The article's misunderstandings are discussed and the program is explained. (CR)

Responds to "The UCLA Young Autism Project: A Reply to Gresham and MacMillan" (Smith and Lovaas), which criticized a review questioning the effectiveness of an intervention for children with autism. The Smith and Lovass article is described as defensive, factually inaccurate, and as not adequately addressing the question of external validity.…

Current approaches for evaluating children for possible sexual abuse are critically analyzed for conceptual integrity and empirical support. Suggestions for future development include the use of indicators of abuse that allow for professional judgment, consideration of the influence of questioning style, and use of peer review. (JDD)