Using data from a random sample of chief liberal arts academic officers in American colleges and universities, this study examines formal methods for evaluating these officers' resource allocation policies and factors influencing evaluations. Findings suggest that "resources for excellence" are unevenly distributed among departments and that…

The article offers eight questions for parents to consider in evaluating and developing a disabled child's recreation program. (DB)

Activities during the initial 18-month cycle of the Demand and Resource Evaluation (DARE) Program of the Puget Sound Power and Light Company (Washington State) are described. The role of evaluation in public utility planning is discussed. Cooperation, communication, and consensus among utility planning staff are concluded to be vital. (SLD)

The Accreditation Plus model developed by the Center for Teacher Education Evaluation of Tennessee Technological University (Cookeville) for evaluation of teacher education programs is described. An amalgamation of the accreditation model and use-tailored evaluation plans, the model calls for informed eclecticism in the assembly of evaluation…

A competency exam can help determine whether a training program has been effective only if it can pass the test of content validity. Seven steps for ensuring validity are developing learning objectives, outlining content, establishing format, constructing test items, evaluating validity, administering the exam, and analyzing results. (JOW)

Suggests 10 tracking techniques for evaluating marketing performance. Techniques involve utilization rate, inquiry and source of inquiry tracking, appointment and interview tracking, enrollment conversion, cost per inquiry and per enrollment, retention rate, survey results, and "mystery shopper." (RJC)

One source of bias, regression artifacts, in program evaluations that use regression discontinuity design is identified, and its importance is discussed. A method is suggested for its correction. Although use of this method does not solve the problem of selection bias, it does improve the reliability of nonexperimental methods. (SLD)

The methodology and design of the process evaluation system of the Pawtucket Heart Health Program (an 11-year project for changing/documenting change in cardiovascular disease risk status of a northeastern city's residents) are described. Examples of the system's use are provided. The maintenance of such a system without substantial evaluation…

A Chapter I evaluator reflects on developments in her role within the Title One/Chapter One Program through five phases. The phases were characterized, successively, by broad acceptance, defensiveness, indifference, negativity, and openness to criticism. (TJH)

Reflections on the politics of program evaluation are presented. Topics discussed include policy question development and translation into evaluation questions, translation of evaluation questions into the evaluation proper, translation of evaluation findings into policy, and generation of new policy questions. (TJH)

Differing views about the success evaluators have had in improving programs directly are contrasted. It is suggested that evaluation, even when decisions are not based directly on evaluation outcomes, should represent continuing education for program managers, planners, and policy makers with probable impact in the future. (SLD)

Discusses how to develop and implement an open learning program when there are materials available but no trainers to use them. (JOW)

How criterion-referenced tests can be used in program and curriculum evaluations is discussed. Topics include: understanding program/curriculum environments, determining an appropriate evaluation model, and standards for determining a CRT's and an evaluation's quality. Five instructional steps are outlined, and an annotated bibliography and a…

Techniques developed in a federal agency to forge links between evaluators and decision makers using evaluation information are described. Focus is on engaging the decision maker in the identification of candidate programs, selection among candidates, program evaluation, reporting of evaluation results, and assessment of evaluation impact. (SLD)

Studied the feasibility of including children's perceptions of their experiences in early childhood programs and, therefore, their perceptions of its quality. Found that children's responses did provide valuable information about program quality and that educators willing to invest the time to view their program through the eyes of the children…