Three criteria for a sound evaluation program are identified: procedures should be credible, valid, and fair. Assessing administrative performance must begin with explication of contextual factors and unique characteristics that constrain or enhance opportunities. (MLW)

Discusses the components of a successful band program. Argues that such programs are organized, community- and school-oriented, and musically centered in terms of student and group accomplishments. (FL)

Reports the results of a survey of personnel directors from a variety of businesses on the factors of job performance appraisals and their common weaknesses. Offers recommendations for appraisal writing, including goals, content, audience analysis, style, and potential legal problems. (HTH)

Examines criteria for selecting reading materials in the schools, including a comprehensive list of questions to be considered in evaluating reading materials. (HTH)

Lists behavioral objectives and evaluative criteria designed for a remedial reading classroom. (HTH)

It is widely believed that evaluations can deliver certain, definitive, and absolutely convincing assessments of social programs. It would be wise to insist only that evaluation findings be credible rather than certain, arguable rather than definite, and persuasive rather than absolutely convincing. (CJ)

Contends that even in the new era of financial limitations on educational research and development (R & D), this enterprise can thrive if adaptations are made in certain areas, including: (1) bases for judging R & D success; (2) bases for financing; (3) view of educational institutions; (4) role responsibilities; (5) communication clarity; and (6)…

Discusses the discrepancies in results from library utilization studies which preclude comparison of data, and recommends the standardization of definitions and methodology to enable valuable comparisons across libraries. (JVP)

Maintains that nonprofit organizations may harbor much creative potential to provide public services that government might otherwise provide and/or to enhance government provision of services. Areas in which nonprofit organizations might be particularly useful include health services and community programs in arts and sciences. (Author/DB)

Preschoolers named and gave reasons for liking/ disliking an actual best friend and an actual enemy. Questioning of parents and observation of subjects' free play were conducted to verify the existence of close, reciprocal friendships. Content analyses of subjects' responses revealed that different dimensions underlie unilateral and reciprocal…

Exploring the questions (1) What are values?, (2) How can values help the individual relate to his world? and (3) What is evaluation?, the author suggests ways an evaluator's values can constructively affect program evaluation. (Author/SK)

A framework for the evaluation of physical education programs is proposed. Its design is intended to provide a more comprehensive view of evaluation questions which can be asked. (MJB)

Accrediting standards are studied and a comparison of the major areas of emphasis, commonality, and differences is undertaken. (JD)

Problems with the ideological framework of the idea of accountability are discussed in terms of how "technological consciousness" requires that all elements be considered as reducible to objective measurable performance criteria, and that nonmeasurables be considered as "not real." (JMF)

A method for testing differential predictability in a selection model was illustrated on data from 103 male and 24 female graduate students. Since the models were not homogeneous in the variance, a method for adjusting for heterogeneity was presented. (Author/CTM)