In "The Case for Participatory Evaluation in an Era of Accountability" (this issue), Jill Chouinard highlights seven tensions between the participatory and technocratic approaches to evaluation. She suggests that there is a need to create opportunities for more participatory approaches to evaluation. In this essay, I suggest that the era of…

Non-formal education (NFE) is now considered as playing a critical role in the achievement of the objective of Education for All, by reaching the learning needs of youth and adults who do not have access to formal education, increasing their employment opportunities and therefore contributing to poverty alleviation. Yet there is still insufficient…

In 2005 the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the central organisation of unions in New Zealand, initiated a Learning Representatives Project based on the British model. The Government approved an eight-month programme to be funded through its Tertiary Education Commission to "scope the project". Work began not just on scoping, but on…

The author contends that within executive government, which already has all the information it needs to make decisions, program evaluation is seen as a symbolic rather than a substantive enterprise. If it is assumed that program evaluation is an end of policy, not a means, the reasons for government investment in evaluation include: (1) no choice;…

Reviews the Robbins Report, considering today's educational issues from its perspective. Concentrating mainly on the university component of British higher education, Moser concludes that many of its themes are relevant today. Argues for less educational specialization, total financial review, and continued support of higher education for those…

Educational opportunities for the disabled adults are, in theory, little different from those available to other adults. There are, however, obvious and less obvious extra difficulties in their paths, and the author offers some suggestions on how counseling can help overcome these. (Author/CT)

The Internet has become a powerful force in transforming organizations in both private and public sectors, including public education. Some educational reformers now view virtual schools, in which the majority of course content is delivered online, as a viable alternative and innovative means of educating K-12 students. As of September 2007, 42…

Summarizes and reviews the past decade of work to develop Structured Enrichment (SE) programs. Discusses four major representative functions to indicate the testability of SE. Considers further research on its comparative usefulness, expansion to clinical populations, and the testing of component skills. (NRB)

Discusses differences between research and evaluation and identifies needed research areas: learning strategies, success and failure, transfer of training (learning), human resources development (HRD) staffing and placement, and HRD attitudes. Outlines research competency areas: develop research designs, design and validate data-gathering…

Workers in today's world need continual training to keep up with new technology and to learn new skills. This article looks at the people who provide that training--how they do it, who employs them, and how they were trained themselves. (Author)

Applaudes National Art Education Association research efforts, but suggests that a major weakness in the program, and in art education in general, is the lack of a distinct philosophy of art education. Criticizes art-education researchers' over-reliance on theoretical authorities from outside of the field and neglect of their own experiences. (DSK)

Responds to the article by Fix and Bean in this issue on the General Accounting Office (GAO) report on discrimination related to provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). Questions interpretation of the GAO report and an Urban Institute-sponsored study. Endorses IRCA and recommends stronger employer sanctions. (AF)

Efforts by the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government to eliminate racial discrimination through policies that guarantee civil rights, increase minority opportunity, and reduce social class inequality have only been partially successful. Infrequent coordination among the three branches and lack of total commitment…

This series is intended for music educators and features speeches and articles by leaders in music and arts education on a wide variety of current issues. This publication deals with the move of the music education profession to a position based on aesthetic considerations. The study of music structure and history must be encouraged to enhance…

The Testing, Assessment, and Evaluation Division (TAE) of the National Institute of Education was created during a reorganization in 1978. Some of TAE's activities have included: identifying research needs; long-range planning for federally-sponsored evaluation research; reviewing evaluation methodologies; comparing local vs. large national…