Presents common attributes of effective evaluation systems, which are drawn from studies in Arizona, Michigan, and Vermont. Attributes include participant acceptance of validity, participant understanding of system mechanics and rationale, properly trained evaluators, a variety of evaluation methods, and evaluation as a district priority. (CJH)

The goal of this primer is to help policymakers and other interested individuals answer three big questions: (1) What does the research say? (2) Is the research trustworthy? (3) How can the research be used to guide policy? Answering these questions will help policymakers: (1) make evidenced-based decisions about education policies; (2) gain a…

This guide is designed to take the mystery out of educational research data and to help educators become better, and more critical, readers of facts, figures, charts, and graphs about U.S. public schools. Educators will also become better able to answer the questions of parents, students, and the community. A brief historical look at the loss in…

Suggests ways in which school personnel can keep abreast of current educational research. (MKM)

This essay begins by discussing the current cynicism regarding the usefulness of research-based strategies in the field of education. Using examples of high-quality research that utilizes diverse methodologies, a framework is presented for thinking about various types of research and their implications. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Learning organizations must have a shared organizational vision. Schools can develop good vision statements when personnel base discussions on a collective investigation of research; emphasize meaningful, credible improvements; and share their thoughts and hopes while working toward consensus. Indicators that schools can impact through school…

Using the Internet, people working to fight substance abuse can gather the information they need to write grant proposals, develop strategies and media campaigns, and contact legislators. The Internet also connects those working on similar issues, enhancing substance abuse education and prevention efforts. This Monthly Action Kit is a roadmap to…

This volume is the restricted-use codebook for the 1993-94 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools, teachers and principals. The sample contains 152 schools with samples of teachers and principals for these schools. The first section contains a discussion of the SASS created variables, and the second section…

Proposes that a major constraint of research in child welfare has been the inability to coordinate reforms among various components of foster care reform. Reveals research advances in child welfare that demonstrate effective social work practice and indicate directions for comprehensive foster care reform. (Author)

The ERS Standard for Program Evaluation encompass front-end analysis, evaluability assessment, formative evaluation, impact evaluation, program monitoring, and evaluation of evaluation. Written as simple admonitory statements, the Standards are organized into sections on formative and negotiation, structure and design, data collection and…

Discusses how reading comprehension can be improved through research-validated instruction. Outlines emerging issues of comprehension instruction, such as the limits of word-recognition instruction, cognitive capacity constraints, and diverse text tasks. Contends that there needs to be experimental validation of comprehensive comprehension…

Advice for adventure-based counseling (ABC) programs seeking funding includes setting realistic goals, designing an evaluation that matches program resources, and keeping it simple. Low recidivism is most important to grantors. Published research on ABC is scarce, but on-site process research generates useful data, and local schools and agencies…

Teachers' quests for more data-based planning, problem solving, and decision making often stumble against limited capacities for engaging in thoughtful interactions, with groups typically lacking process tools, collaborative communication skills, and reflective habits. This article presents a three-phase model for guiding data-driven dialogue in…

Pasteur's quadrant is offered as a framework for escaping the dichotomy of "applied" vs. "basic" research. By focusing on research inspired by the community or society's needs, and which also draws on or creates appropriate theory, public universities can alter faculty's research agenda so that the total contribution of university research to the…

Making every school in America free of drugs and violence and fostering a disciplined environment conducive to learning by the year 2000 is the aim of the U.S. Department of Education's sixth National Education Goal. Research shows that drugs, violence, and discipline are related problems and are influenced by factors within schools, in the…