Considers that if there is one writer who may appear in successive years on the AP (Advanced Placement) literature exam, it is Shakespeare. Sets out to discover something about what the connection between drives for accountability, the growing popularity of the AP English class, and the teaching of Shakespeare means for students at the high school…

Discusses the decision by Columbia University's new president to reevaluate the mission of its journalism school before naming a new dean, in order to explore how the journalism school fits into the mission of a research university. (EV)

Proposes an alternative program logic model based on the concepts of learning organizations and systems theory. By redefining time as an evolutionary process, the model provides a space for stakeholders to record changes in program context, interim assessments, and program modifications. (SLD)

Describes the scope of evaluation efforts of the Even Start family literacy program to date, summarizing the evaluation strategies, rationale, intended audience, and findings. Discusses the different lenses offered by evaluation at state and local levels. (SLD)

Describes character education, selected research related thereto, and a character-education program at Columbine Elementary School in Woodland Park, Colorado. Describes assessment results of this and other character-education programs and curricula. Includes 11 principles of effective character education such as promotes core ethical values and…

Describes limitations of the use of computers in the classroom at River Oaks School, an Apple Classroom of Tomorrow high school site, in Oakville, Ontario. (Contains 13 references.) (PKP)

Suggests an approach to providing practical evaluation training through university-supported, long-term funded evaluation projects. Such projects are managed through a university center that provides assistance to clients in student assessment and program evaluation. Discusses the benefits and challenges of these experiences for students. (SLD)

Discusses the challenges facing evaluators of welfare reform and the ways that multiple methods can be combined to meet these challenges. Describes the studies reported in this issue. (Author/SLD)

This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in program evaluation for substance abuse prevention efforts. Included in this review is a discussion of approaches to process, outcome, and impact evaluation. Evaluation designs are reviewed with attention given to topics such as recruitment and retention of sites and participants, defining interventions,…

A discussion of the issues, trends, practices, and research on the assessment of literacy covers such subjects as formal classroom instruction, literacy programs, child literacy, and adult literacy. A 22-citation annotated bibliography and a 36-citation unannotated bibliography are included. (CB)

In an experimental evaluation of a "friendly visitor" type of program in which adolescents visited senior citizens, it was found that general attitudes toward elderly people improved following weekly contact with specific elderly persons. Two outcomes of these programs were found: the provision of service to the elderly and the change of negative…

Application of evaluability assessment by the Cooperative Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture is reviewed. The effort involved five states with six major programs since 1984. Underlying philosophy and methodological considerations are discussed, and background information is provided on the assessment processes and studies…

A short, intensive orientation program offered to a small group of students before the start of their first computer science course taught a simple programing language and provided pre-programing skills. The orientation was found to be beneficial, particularly for women, for both content and social orientation. (MSE)

Describes a training-evaluation method that assesses whether participants remember what they were supposed to have learned and know how to apply it on the job. (Author)

It is possible that the emphasis on increased accountability in the training function may drive out programs that cannot demonstrate quantitative, measurable improvements in performance or results. Five levels of issues in training evaluation are (1) work versus perk; (2) substantive versus symbolic; (3) external versus internal; (4) behaviors…