Strategies to avoid the penalties of extra variation described by J. Cornfield and reduced degrees of freedom in community-level trials were compared in Monte Carlo simulations. The three conditions necessary to ensure nominal Type I and Type II error rates are detailed. (SLD)

Discusses three challenges (dealing with program diversity, accommodating conflicting emphases, and precipitating positive change) in evaluating academic technical communication programs. Outlines an approach to program evaluation that redefines the stakeholders to include a wide range of partners in both workplace and academy, and that uses a…

Findings from a national evaluation of a (British) Department of Education pilot headteacher mentoring scheme suggest that the new headteachers involved significantly benefited. Mentoring offered a way to raise matters of concern and get appropriate advice, helped participants reflect on the headteacher role and gain a broader leadership…

Defines youth development programs and reviews the program evaluation literature. Discusses (1) positive-behavior focused competency/asset enhancing programs, (2) problem-behavior focused competency/asset enhancing programs, and (3) resistance skills-based prevention programs. Includes an appendix of detailed summaries of 15 program evaluations.…

Examination of data from the Infant Health and Development Program, a comprehensive program to avert health and intellectual impairments associated with premature low birthweight, does not show any enduring and meaningful effects on cognitive development resulting from the program. Discusses findings in terms of intelligence and its mutability.…

Presents a critical appraisal model that is proactive, research based, and learner oriented. Discusses process, content, political, and contextual issues. Uses a case study of a continuing education master's program to illustrate the model in practice. (Contains 26 references.) (SK)

Considers that ever since distance learning technology has enabled colleges and universities to offer courses to students who might otherwise not be able to earn college credit, resistance has emerged on pedagogical or fiscal grounds. Notes that most students in distance learning composition classes indicate that they would participate in such a…

A decentralized teacher-coaching model has been adopted by several Los Angeles-area school districts through an initiative called Design for Excellence Linking Teaching and Achievement (DELTA). DELTA encourages coaches and beginning teachers to develop a personalized support plan, and stresses one-on-one relationships and support, not evaluation.…

Reviews many of the major programs seeking to increase college access among economically disadvantaged and at-risk students. Evaluates the potential of these programs while stressing four conditions that effective programs must meet. (Author/EV)

Studied Comer's School Development Program (James P. Comer) in 23 middle schools in Prince George's County, Maryland. The study, involving repeated measurement with more than 12,000 students, shows that Comer schools implemented some of the program's central elements better than control schools did, but not all, or even most, of them. (SLD)

Comments on a study of Comer's School Development Model, indicating that the study, as conducted, was not a study of the model but a limited study of the effects of one application of the model's process. In addition, the evaluation was carried out over only 2 years for each group, when experience shows that at least 3 years are necessary to show…

Investigates the effectiveness of a date rape prevention program for both male and female undergraduate students (N=60) in changing attitudes and behavioral intent, and exploring the attitude-behavior link for both genders. Results reveal that participants in the treatment groups were less accepting of rape myths and endorsed attitudes…

Discusses the program evaluation process as a critical step in effective program planning. Highlights how a systematic collection of data allows programmers to gather evidence of how programs help students meet their learning objectives and fulfill institutional goals. Also discusses how the results of program evaluation can inform the next…

Provides an overview of practical methods and tools for assessment planning and implementation for service learning and civic engagement projects conducted by colleges and universities. Offers suggestions to help readers design their own program assessment plans. (SLD)

Summarizes research focusing on the responses of a small set of British primary schools to inspection of their mathematics program: their anticipation of issues, expectations of findings, and views of how the inspection would contribute to developing good practice. Inspectors' reports seemed to match schools' expectations, but disagreements over…