Although the practice is commonplace, the techniques for evaluating principals and assistant principals vary across the country. Four of the most frequently used evaluation processes and procedures are examined, based on case studies of four school districts in Ohio, North Carolina, Idaho, and Alabama respectively. (Author/TE)

Suggests conventional evaluation reports are inappropriate for what needs to be portrayed for software users concerned with acquisition, software adaptation, design and development, and teacher implementation decisions. Two forms for evaluating information are described and illustrated--a narrative portrayal form and a design and development…

Ethical issues relating to naturalistic evaluation are addressed, focusing on the role of the evaluator, problems of privacy and data gathering techniques, and issues relating to the use/abuse of findings. Benefits and costs of the naturalistic approach to program evaluation are also identified. (EGS)

Drawing on current models for increasing the use of information from external evaluations, the authors offer a user-centered approach for increasing the use of results from internal evaluations of graduate medical education. The overriding emphasis of the user-centered approach is the utility of the resultant data. (Author/BW)

The purpose of this study was to identify the beliefs of Tennessee principals and teachers about the knowledge and skills required of leaders when using data to improve educational decision-making. Personal interviews were conducted with 10 principals and 10 teacher leaders certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.…

The Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) and the Teacher Followup Survey (TFS) have been administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 1987-88, 1990-92, and 1993-95. The SASS is a large-scale survey of educational institutions in the United States. The TFS is conducted the year following the SASS to obtain more information…

This paper examines the relationship between high-school examinations and university expectations for a well-prepared student. Its purpose is to explore the alignment between state, standards-based assessment systems and the expectations students face once they undertake university studies. It uses a proven methodology for analyzing the congruence…

This document outlines the Western Assessment Collaborative's (WAC) approach to evaluation and the design for examining the progress and impact of Kyosei (spirit of cooperation), a multiyear partnership with 10 schools and 4 districts that engages participants in a set of integrated, research-based professional development strategies. The text…

This case study of testing in the Albuquerque public schools highlights improvement of test results dissemination and use through cooperative planning, integrated database development, and a partnership with public media. (Author)

The Experience Based Career Education (EDCE) program serves as a focal point of a cast study documenting how the National Institute of Education secured Office of Education funds to demonstrate an R&D innovation. Serious questions are raised about the regulations-writing process and the use of evaluation information. (Author/LC)

The Holtzman Project at Northwestern University reviewed educational program evaluations at the federal, state, and local levels of government. This paper focuses on the administration of the project, including constraints on its operations, the strategic decisions that seemed correct at the time, and some decisions that now seem wrong. (BW)

Camp White Eagle (Illinois) developed an evaluation process to assess the positive effects of its wilderness adventure program on adjudicated adolescents. Discusses aspects of the evaluation process applicable to other camps: reviewing program elements, formulating questions, choosing the design, developing measurements, collecting data,…

Considers ways to enhance individual creativity and how an individual can help develop a workplace that utilizes creative approaches to instruction and instructional products. Highlights include individual traits and characteristics; abilities and skills; evaluation and reward; competition; and developing individual creativity as an instructional…

A case study approach taken with three years of data on a hospital's trauma program indicate that, although service user data is important, its political importance far outweighs evaluation value and utility, especially for hard-to-access samples. Implications of this challenge to traditional assumptions for program evaluation are discussed. (SLD)

An admissions director discusses development of appropriate criteria for performance appraisals of college admission officers at the University of Rochester. (TE)