Describes the planning, implementation, and evaluation of school-based Wellness Centers operated by the Riverside Unified School District in Riverside, CA, as part of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative. Describes the program as planned in terms of the theoretical model for the intervention and the evaluation design, and discusses the…

Described the integration of a service-learning elective into a preexisting course at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, in which there was little room to maneuver in an already crowded curriculum, and presented some preliminary evaluation findings based on reports on 206 participating students and 254 who did not participate in the…

Assessed the freshman orientation program at Stephen F. Austin State University in terms of academic success of participants. Data were obtained for freshman classes from 1986 to 1994, and results of data analyses indicated a significantly higher grade point average for those who attended orientation. (SLD)

Evaluated a freshman orientation program at a southeastern research university through questionnaires completed by 1,048 (80%) of the entering freshman class. Responses suggest that students themselves are not sure what orientation programs do or are supposed to do, although they were generally satisfied with the program. (SLD)

Studied the messages being conveyed to prospective students in campus visits and summer orientation sessions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Findings for 497 prospective students show that the visit and orientation program may be effective, but programs are trying to communicate too much. Findings also show the importance of the campus…

Explores the concept and definition of best practice and how it relates to organizational concepts such as benchmarking, leadership, innovation, and managing change. Describes the six steps of best practice: (1) identifying areas of need; (2) assessing the need areas; (3) establishing profiles; (4) looking beyond the organization; (5) establishing…

Although seriously needing clarification and cleanup, California's charter legislation is demonstrating its capacity as an educational policy power tool. The legislation favors strong elements of the existing system, including dedicated, forward-thinking staff, boards, and union leaders. Weak elements--micromanaging boards, unsupportive central…

This volume reflects the impact of postmodern critical thinking on models of human service practice. It demonstrates the values of practice informed by critical theory but does not present adequate empirical support for its effectiveness and Stringer's model is not illustrated through a case study. (SLD)

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Memphis are conducting an evaluation of the Memphis Restructuring Initiative's eight restructuring designs. This paper describes the methodology for the full longitudinal study, including design selection, staff training, planning, implementation issues, and outcomes. The research team…

Epidemiology is presented as a tool for the primary prevention of a broad range of factors associated with increased rates of communication disorders. The potential use of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model of program planning and evaluation to design comprehensive, community-based prevention programs for communication disorders is discussed. (Author/CR)

Results of a survey of 564 Canadian and American evaluators and evaluation project descriptions provided by a subsample of 348 evaluators indicate that evaluators support a utilization-focused, stakeholder service orientation and think that maximizing evaluation use is a primary responsibility of evaluators. (SLD)

Poses additional complexities for the evaluation of government programs by the formation of partnerships with the private sector. Challenges include differing partner objectives, information deficiencies, variances in partner contributions and outcome effects, and difficulties in estimating benefits and costs. Discusses strategies to aid…

Responses from 35 of 52 state tech prep coordinators indicated that 77% had evaluation plans; 68.6% had mechanisms for identifying tech prep students. Most frequent evaluation components were articulation, staff development, curriculum, and marketing. Most used evaluation criteria were job placement, postsecondary enrollment, graduation rate, and…

Discusses benefits of project monitoring in a Canadian international aid project to assist the Brazilian National Industrial Learning Service with creating two technical colleges. Project monitoring focuses on three dimensions: inputs, outputs, and outcomes. Opportunities for intervention and planning input are greater and more frequent than…

Examines the degree programs that are proliferating on-line and discusses the need to employ clearly articulated criteria for their evaluation. Discusses "Best Practices for Electronically Offered Degree and Certificate Programs," developed by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, as a guide for such assessment. (EV)