Based on his experience as a youth planner, the author points out that the dysfunctional side effects of evaluation described by Ginsberg (TM 508 964) also apply to statewide efforts to deinstitutionalize status offenders. (BW)

Using a Maternal and Child Health clinic as an example, the social context of record production is stressed. The interorganizational context of the clinic, and its influence on the clinic's record production, illustrate Ginsberg's (TM 508 964) dysfunctional side effects on quantitative indicator production. (BW)

A communication theory paradigm typically is used to investigate the relationship between evaluation information and utilization: "Who says what, how, to whom, with what effects?" This study investigates the "how," or medium of presentation, aspect of the paradigm. (Author/LMO)

This article focuses on the distinction between needs assessment and demand assessment and presents a methodology for operationalizing and measuring demands. Results are reported of a survey of a national sample of 32 university and college administrators to assess their need and demand for an adult student opinion package. (Author/LMO)

A utilization-focused approach in evaluating a problem-solving skills training program (see TM 510 179) would have placed more emphasis on identifying evaluation users, their information needs, and likely use of findings. Other methods options are also discussed, along with how to prepare decision makers for utilization. (Author/BW)

Analyses were conducted replicating pilot work examining the feasibility of using the Louisiana's educational assessment data in concert with the Louisiana Educational Assessment Data System (LEADS) database and other associated databases to assess teacher preparation programs. The degree of matching across years and the degree of matching between…

The Down East Partnership for Children (DEPC) was established in 1993 to bring together health, education, and social service agencies to address the needs of children and families in two eastern North Carolina counties. Collaboration theory provided a useful lens through which to examine the development of the partnership, recognize preconditions…

This guide is designed to help child care partnerships understand three different ways of using results-based decision making (to manage their own work, to manage the work of others, and to contribute to the work of others), and how they can use this process most effectively to improve the lives of children and families. The guide is intended to…

This study used a case study design using both quantitative and qualitative data to document school improvement efforts at one middle school. The findings developed a portrait of the school, and its students, staff, and climate, and made it possible to identify areas for improvement. Data were collected through 44 classroom observations in 2…

Broad-based assessment and evaluation must form the foundation of planning for economic and workforce development engagement opportunities by a college or university. This involves assessing workforce development needs and evaluating how well current curricular offerings respond to those needs. Higher education institutions can successfully…

Assessment "for" learning is not the same as assessment "of" learning. Assessment of learning is assessment for accountability purposes, to determine a student's level of performance on a specific task or at the conclusion of a unit of teaching and learning. The information gained from this kind of assessment is often used in reporting. Assessment…

An overview of the function of observation systems within the context of program evaluation is illustrated by summarizing observation systems used in evaluations of primary education, compensatory education, and Follow Through programs. (Author/CM)

This study tracked three program evaluators to describe the school evaluation environment as the evaluators experienced it. It was found that evaluation utilization was low; most principals and teachers resisted evaluation, though program staff were more receptive; evaluation contact with classrooms was regulated; and schools were "doing the…

The four studies reported in this paper examined the relationship between locus of control and (1) preferences for evaluation strategies, (2) kinds of information seen as useful in decision making, (3) values placed on the usefulness and worth of evaluation, and (4) group interaction in decision making. (BW)

Evaluation utilization/use is discussed with the concept of user rationality (including examples where the rational use of evaluation results may be unclear or may be nonuse). A current project focuses on studying the process of evaluation information use and on validating a theory of use. (Author/LC)