The instrumental utilization of evaluation findings to assist in the development of program policy is discussed, drawing examples from an innovative human service program/policy that involves multiple funding ministries and participating agencies. Evaluation practices that enhance utilization, including pre- and postevaluation activities, are…

Compares community substance abuse programs that have worked with some that have not by applying principles from complex systems theory and ideas from learning communities. (JOW)

A national survey of state superintendents of public instruction (n=35) and state directors of employment and training (n=28) gives business education programs, courses, and competencies high marks. Suggests that business educators should take advantage of this support by becoming more active in professional organizations. (JOW)

Describes the development of rehabilitation counseling and its introduction to the U.K. in 1990. Presents evidence of the need for rehabilitation counseling in the U.K. and describes the current course with reference to its integrative counseling approach and specialist areas of inquiry. (JPS)

States that accountability has led to an environment where program assessment is central to academic life, since government pressure calls into question the quality and efficiency of higher education. Presents a model of a hierarchy for mass communication program assessment methods and program component review. Concludes that effective assessment…

As part of two outdoor workshops (n=37 and 38) for Master of Business Administration students focused on team building, teams completed case studies. A control group completed case studies without the outdoor component. Results clearly indicated that outdoor education can accelerate team development and the evaluation method proved useful. (SK)

Recognizing youth violence as a major public health issue, the National Centers for Disease Control in 1993 launched an $11 million effort to evaluate 15 violence-prevention programs used in U.S. schools. The schools will evaluate programs, using various criteria. "ASBJ" examined programs in five urban areas, highlighting major emphases,…

An evaluation strategy in which a set of process indicators is applied to programs to reduce maternal mortality in developing countries is presented. The four-stage strategy is illustrated for three interventions: (1) providing safe abortion services; (2) increasing knowledge of obstetric complications; and (3) improving medical care quality. (SLD)

It is argued that reports of evaluation activities often leave much to be desired because they fail to portray the real trial-and-error processes of the research study and do not report on the logic in use at the time of the inquiry. (SLD)

Successful diversity trainers should (1) distinguish education from training; (2) position training within a management strategy; (3) not start prematurely; (4) conduct needs analysis; (5) use participative design; (6) pilot test; (7) balance internal and external resources; and (8) incorporate programs in a core curriculum. (JOW)

Selected issues relevant to evaluating women's studies programs (WSPs) are discussed. Focus is on criticisms of traditional forms of assessment expressed by feminists and nontraditional evaluators, illuminative evaluation as an alternative approach to assessing WSPs, and a new model of evaluation termed "participatory evaluation." (TJH)

Conducted telephone survey on state efforts to evaluate school programs funded under Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. Some states reported studies of program implementation and some reported drug- and alcohol-use surveys. Together, these two types of evaluation efforts formed foundation of approach for conducting evaluations under the act.…

Reviews youth programs worldwide, focusing on program objectives, contexts provided by programs, activities and processes, relationships of programs to families and schools, and national environments. Outlines six approaches to program evaluation. Suggests that program outcomes are related to intrinsic factors, extrinsic factors, and participant…

The 440 interventions completed by pharmacy residents in an inpatient on-call program were analyzed for their source (self-initiated, solicited by physician or staff pharmacist), type (selection of dosage, schedule, drug level monitoring, route of administration), impact on quality of care, cost of care, and clinical significance. (Author/MSE)

Using a multilevel statistics framework, a study examined the role of multiple sites in evaluation of three programs: Greater Avenues to Independence (GAIN), Job Training Partnership Act, and Food Stamp Employment and Training. Although multisite evaluations have great potential, they are more difficult and expensive and have limited success in…