This book, intended for the interested layman and the education professional, describes the process and content of standards-driven education reform. It is based on the premise that schools can excel if they benchmark their standards, align their curriculum, and conduct academic analysis to assess progress. Only the highlights appear in the hard…

This paper explores the implications of "user-focused evaluation" by examining the information utilization dynamics of the evaluation of the Caribbean Agricultural Extension Project. (BW)

The author discusses several dimensions of evaluation utilization in educational settings as a step toward clarifying the meaning of the term. Definitions of evaluation and utilization are offered, distinctions are made between use and utilization, and the processes necessary for determining if an evaluation use is a true utilization are outlined.…

In view of social processes, politics and the logistics of conducting evaluations, several implicit assumptions of the field challenged by findings on innovation implementation are reviewed. These studies have major implications for evaluation practice, evaluator roles, the use of evaluation results, and the federal role in evaluation. (Author/CM)

Not all data for a program evaluation may be equally valuable, and costs of collection may vary when using several methods to obtain data from several sources. An approach to maximize information yield for a fixed, limited budget using a mathematical technique known as linear programming is described and generalized. (Author/CM)

Describes the range of policies, criteria, and weightings used in the process of selecting among candidates for admission in 19 public and private colleges and universities. Notes the need for adequate communications between colleges and the schools previously attended by candidates. (PGD)

Responses of 246 internal and external evaluators about reporting and communicating results show that most use traditional reporting formats, are only moderately satisfied with reporting efforts, recognize many constraints to reporting, and consider high stakeholder involvement essential to effective evaluation. (SLD)

The extent to which evaluation and auditing have converged on procedures in recent years and the extent to which they remain different are examined in the five chapters of this special issue. Different emphases, the question of collaboration with the subjects of inquiry, and issues of routinized performance are explored. (SLD)

Proposals satisfy a number of functions in evaluation work. This article examines how these functions differ depending on whether the proposal concerns a preordinate study in which methods are prespecified or an emergent study in which decisions about methods are made as the study proceeds. (Author/SLD)

The large government market in evaluation that has developed in recent years does not follow the idealized image of open markets because of the contracting process, which means that a few firms conduct most evaluations. To produce honest, unbiased evaluations, evaluation ethics must take government market factors into consideration. (SLD)

Asserts that collecting assessment data from students is key to shaping effective instruction. Both informal and formal data about student learning not only shape instruction but also determine its effectiveness. Contends that continuous assessment that drives curriculum is a means of enhancing student and teacher performance. (Contains seven…

A comparative evaluation of two underground coal mines identified the reasons why one was the most productive and the other was the least productive mine operated by the company. The vested interests of contending groups provide a partial explanation. The problem-solving process evolving out of the evaluation is described. (SLD)

Based on experiences in conducting program evaluations for the Canadian Federal Government, an evaluator addresses reconciliation of the information needs of managers and accountability. External and internal accountability are covered. Using the perspectives of both line managers and senior managers, means of resolving pertinent issues are…

The value of screening evaluations is assessed. Descriptions of screening programs for acquired immune deficiency syndrome and massive drug testing are presented. An example is provided of how productive evaluation work can guide a program even before the decision is made to implement it. (TJH)

The evaluation of second language programs is an educational task with profound potential for improving pedagogical practice. Evaluators who educate perform more than just a "service" function by helping people to learn, develop themselves, and refine their abilities to work more effectively. (CB)