The REL Mid-Atlantic Webinar discussed the elements in a positive school climate and shared different methods for assessing school data, including the Comprehensive School Climate Inventory. The Q&A presented in this document address the questions participants had for Dr. Cohen following the webinar. The webinar recording and PowerPoint…

The Black, Wilson, and Yao (this issue) provide a wide-ranging commentary and vision of the interrelationships among curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment. Specifically, they describe how the Berkeley Evaluation & Assessment Research (BEAR) Center Assessment System can be used to integrate and systematize these areas. This commentary focuses on…

This article describes the design and evaluation approaches to address the complexity posed by systems change initiatives. The role of evaluations in addressing the following issues is briefly reviewed: moving from strategic planning to implementation, impacts on system-level coordination, anticipated timeline of impact, and individual level…

This paper reviews the efforts of the Idaho Council for Technology in Learning to provide consistent and thorough standards for planning for educational technology, presents keys for meeting those standards, and offers suggestions for using these keys to successfully implement and account for planned technology use in the curriculum. The planning…

The New Hampshire Long-Range Program (1992-1996) was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). It identifies the state's library needs and the actions to be taken toward meeting those needs. The program was developed to ensure that all persons in New Hampshire will have equal access to…

Rutman's view of evaluability assessment is reviewed, evaluation planning activities are illustrated via flow diagram for a large educational evaluation designed to increase citizen participation in local school activities, and some of the limitations of Rutman's evaluability procedures are outlined. (RL)

Presents a multifaceted approach to identifying facility needs in academic libraries that applies different evaluation methods to different functional areas, defines problems from more than one viewpoint, and considers the interrelationships of various areas. The strengths and weaknesses of this approach are discussed using examples from its…

Describes activities for elementary and secondary students who participate in AT&T's Learning Network. Topics include learning circles as virtual communities; forming learning circles; planning projects with teachers and students; exchanging work on the projects; creating a final publication as a group; and evaluating the process. (LRW)

This report outlines the stages to be taken in harnessing technology in a way that meets and overcomes many of the shortcomings and problems encountered by the educational delivery systems in use today. A learning system is described that supports a number of delivery modes, including individualization or customization of instruction. The first…

Discussion of academic research libraries' changes in organizational structure focuses on experiences at the Indiana University Libraries. Highlights include principles encouraging organizational change and empowerment; the role and nature of the library, including a focus on the user; library reorganization; and strategic planning, quality, and…

A practitioner reflects on workshop planning, outcomes and evaluation, learning in groups, and the facilitator's motivation. (SK)

Regional analysis is central to applied geographic research, contributing to better planning and policy development for a variety of societal problems facing the United States. The development of energy policy serves as an illustration of the capabilities of this type of analysis. The United States has had little success in formulating a national…

Trends and issues in program evaluation are reviewed, with attention given to the role of the institutional research staff, state agencies, and accrediting agencies. Recommendations are made for future action, including establishing a new social contract between academe and government, and developing better evaluation tools. Sources of information…

This evaluation matrix considers three aspects: (1) evaluation focus (purpose/rationale, context, audience); (2) evaluation design (questions, methods, data sources, analysis, reporting); and (3) management (personnel, timeline, costs). Application to six elements (participant, instructor, course, curriculum, program, project) is illustrated. (SK)

This paper considers the measurement of person-centered planning with developmentally disabled individuals. It reports on the development of three instruments to assess person-centered planning and both a process and an outcome index. Psychometric evaluation indicated test-retest reliability and measures of internal consistency were adequate.…