This report presents findings of a Minnesota study group which reviewed the costs and structures under which developmental disabilities services are provided. The group conducted a series of town meetings throughout the state and concluded with a toll-free call-in day. Six themes emerged from the meetings: (1) "We have a lot to be proud of…

This paper reports on the development and use of a multiattribute evaluation model for making resource reallocation decisions in a large College of Education. Multiple criteria with measurable attributes, procedures for use, and software templates are identified, along with data from a recent cycle of reviews. Final estimates on weighted utility…

Presented are transcripts of hearings on legislation which is intended to improve the operations of the federal bilingual education program by (1) focusing on building the capacity of the local educational agencies to carry out bilingual education programs; (2) broadening the range of instructional approaches eligible for assistance; (3) targeting…

A comprehensive assessment of the career education programs offered in the school districts in Michigan was conducted, based on the assumption that the lack of systematically organized needs data for appropriate decisionmaking groups may be an obstruction to the statewide implementation of career education. A questionnaire instrument was…

Congress has requested that the National Institute of Education (NIE) assess the current effectiveness of compensatory education programs in meeting their fundamental purposes, and examine a alternative methods by which the effectiveness of compensatory programs might be improved. These requests are included in the provisions of Section 821,…

The paper questions whether educational and cultural activities sponsored by the United States government should be aimed at foreign policy objectives or should be treated as ends in themselves. Arguments are presented by political leaders, educators, and government officials in favor of and against cultural exchange as a form of foreign policy…

The more commonly cited uses of state and local district assessment programs are addressed. The implications of seven proposed uses of state assessment data are reviewed point-by-point: (1) allocating state grants-in-aid to alleviate weaknesses in instructional programs; (2) designing instructional support programs for teachers; (3) developing…

This report summarizes evaluation results for AISD's federally-funded Title VI class size reduction program activities during the 2000-2001 school year.

Seven plans for financing higher education's expansion in the United Kingdom are described, analyzed, and compared, particularly as each addresses three issues: student loan program design; tuition; and student loan repayment. Criteria for evaluating the plans include efficiency, equity, and implications for stability of public spending. The…

Many school reform initiatives now require school leaders to make curriculum and resourcing decisions on the basis of evidence about their likely impact on student achievement. In this paper, we discuss the implications of this policy demand in the context of a descriptive study of schools' capacity to collect, analyze, and use collective…

Educational change depends on the development of total school system readiness. An analysis of the school evaluation process is the purpose of this report. Essential steps to determine school readiness for restructuring include the assessment, profiling, and integration of interrelated system components, which include focus and support factors.…

This report summarized progress made since 1981-82 on 88 propositions and 292 related recommendations set forth by Forming the Future, a cooperative effort between the Austin (Texas) Independent School District and the Austin community to implement a 5-year program of broad school improvements. Of the 292 recommendations, approximately 86% were…

This paper traces the evaluation requirements of the Title I/Chapter 1 Program since 1966 to the present, discusses the implications of the evaluations, and reports on the evolution of evaluation during this 20 year period. The evaluations are described in four phases: (1) from a nadir of low quality, utility and precision (1966-1974); (2) to a…

The development of a planning, budgeting, and evaluation model, referred to as an "academic audit" model, at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, is described. The model is essentially a model for planning resource reallocation in conjunction with redefining and reestablishing institutional goals and mission statements.…

The book is concerned with policy issues and related analytical problems involved in the evaluation of vocational education. It is based on a study undertaken by the National Planning Association for the U.S. Office of Education and the National Advisory Commission on Vocational Education. An analysis of available information dealing with the…