Describes a curriculum development effort at Marymount University (Virginia) that combined a traditional human resource development (HRD) master's degree program with instructional systems design (ISD) and performance technology concepts. Courses in the program are described, with special emphasis given to one on performance improvement…

Description of the department of scientific and technological information specialty at Jilin University of Technology (China) focuses on the postgraduate program. Enrollment qualifications are described, improvements made in the program are explained, staff training is discussed, and ideas for future development are suggested. (LRW)

Evaluation and strategic management are related in that each attempts to improve the quality of policy decisions and each has evolved from a product-centered focus to one in which implementation and utilization are vital. Evaluators should understand strategic management theory to evaluate its applications appropriately. (SLD)

Early intervention, substantial parent involvement, effective instruction, and staff development that empowers teachers can improve the achievement of at-risk students. The task is to combine each of these components into a coherent whole by coordinating the efforts of the school, the family, and the community into a comprehensive set of…

Effects of training teacher evaluators and outcomes and quality of teacher evaluation were studied in Iowa for 619 elementary school and secondary school teachers. Findings relating to training effects are encouraging, and findings relating to teacher and evaluator attributes and the evaluation process provide direction for improving teacher…

Concepts of formative and process evaluation are discussed, and their applications in health promotion and disease prevention are reviewed. Process evaluation fulfills the need for information on program implementation, whereas formative evaluation aims to help develop and improve programs from an early stage. Both evaluations can increase program…

Describes the revision of the master's degree program undertaken by the Universite de Montreal School of Library and Information Studies. The theoretical framework and guiding principles used in the revision; studies of the revision process, including reconstruction, administration, and ongoing evaluation; and an outline of the revised program are…

The purpose of evaluation in education projects is explored, through examples from English Language Teaching aid projects in developing countries. The distinction between formative and summative evaluation is conceptualized in terms of purpose rather than temporality, and the role of evaluation in program improvement is stressed. (SLD)

Describes the new place for geography in the various university departments in New Zealand that have been reconfigured by university-wide restructuring. Discusses the implications of the restructuring on university geography in New Zealand focusing on the problems in relation to the administrative changes, such as the flow of students in the…

Describes a visit to the Moscow State University of Culture which includes the largest library and information science program in Russia. Highlights include lecture formats and topics; the lack of instructional technology; visits to other libraries; language barriers; the value of smaller group interactions; and recommendations for program…

Discusses perspectives on teaching foreign languages, describing four models of instruction. Proposes the formulation of minimum requirements and the use of textbooks and handbooks for working with different models of instruction. Considers the problems to be addressed, such as developing a methodology for teaching in primary schools and teaching…

Describes South Dakota's Technology for Teaching and Learning Academy (TTL), a statewide program for teacher training opportunities to help integrate technology into the schools and to enhance students' educational opportunities. Discusses TTL objectives; evaluation results; and planned program refinement. (LRW)

Examines knowledge level, relevance, and current use level of quality improvement practices in Wisconsin-supported employment agencies among administrators and service providers. Respondents expressed low-to-moderate level of need for training in areas of critical ingredients of quality improvement, evaluation and team performance, and defining…

Examined impact of a professional development school (PDS) partnership between a university and two early childhood centers on the quality of care and education within programs. Found that the partnerships increased quality of care and education in both programs. Findings suggest that universities can have an impact at a local level if they reach…

Describes as example a parents' center in London to examine impact of evaluation exercises on people and services being evaluated. Questions whether evaluators are measuring the right things, whether evidence is valid, and what effects an evaluation may have on services. Identifies features of research and evaluation that are most likely to…