Describes Dr. John Henry Martin's theory of how children can learn to write phonetically before learning to read and how this theory developed into a computer-based teaching system called "Writing to Read." A program evaluation by Martin and IBM is discussed, and a source is given for further information. (MBR)

Report on study to consider ways in which research effectiveness could be assessed outlines possible approaches (cost-benefit assessment, citation analysis, publications, real-time tracking study, case study, take-up survey, audience research panel, penetration study). Appropriateness of approaches is discussed in relation to projects funded by…

Program evaluation is a process of determining program performance for the purpose of improvement. Objectives essential to an effective program are accountability, public support, legitimacy, and communication of results. As a political tool, program evaluation must involve participants in the evaluation and decision-making processes of allocating…

A summary of the writing assessment programs reviewed in this journal is presented. The problems inherent in the programs are outlined. A coordinated research program on major problems in writing assessment is proposed as being beneficial and cost-effective. (DWH)

The faculty at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine has developed an explanation of repeated medical student failures on Part I of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) examination. They see the failures as the result of incomplete development of reasoning skills. Author/MLW)

Provides information concerning the program quality of departments offering master's degrees in speech communication. Employs the subjective approach to measuring quality through the use of peer evaluations. (PD)

Two examples illustrate effective use of evaluation offices. The first, a centralized approach, involves goal setting, followed by measurement techniques and improvement based on data. The second, decentralized approach involves reduction of data to six profiles, which form the basis of planning. Similarities and differences are discussed. (TE)

One hundred twenty social studies programs published during the period 1969-71 were examined to determine if they contained characteristics of the new social studies. (Author)

Describes and evaluates "Breakthrough to Literacy," a beginning reading scheme based on the language experience approach and launched in Saskatoon, Canada schools in 1974. (RB)

A critical assessment of the 10-year Experimental World Literacy Program (EWLP), which consisted of a series of pilot projects and micro-experiments in different countries (Algeria, Ecuador, Iran, Mali, Ethiopia, Guinea, Madgascar, Tanzania, Sudan, Zambia, and Venezuela) sponsored by UNESCO, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and various…

How can a principal respond to community questions on the validity of "new math"? This article gives a comparative analysis of the old and new, and describes a potential prototype for math programs of the future. (Editor)

Four social development programs in elementary education are examined. None of the programs (1) has a clearly articulated developmental rationale, (2) focuses heavily on a concern for others, (3) has ongoing programmatic research, and (4) has a rationale for its implementation strategy. (Author)

This article describes the procedures, rationale, and consequences of the steps employed in developing an inhouse instrument to measure achievement in a local career education project. The article attempts to enumerate, clarify, and justify in terms of accepted measurement principles the steps taken in developing an inhouse achievement test.…

Describes the evaluation process as it was applied at the Life Office Management Association (LOMA)-the first organization to have a nationally conducted adult education program evaluated. Information about other noncollegiate sponsored programs for college credit is also provided. (ABM)