The Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) welfare-to-work program in California was evaluated by the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC). The evaluation relied on involvement of stakeholders, examination of program implementation, flexibility, the adaptation of evaluation questions and designs during the study, use of random…

Key issues for the future of assessment in colleges and universities are discussed including: assessment may be a response to external demands, however, its locus and main effects are within the institution; assessment's ultimate purpose is improvement; assessment practices emphasize utilization of information; participation by stakeholders is…

The six chapters of this theme issue present participatory evaluation as a viable and creative addition to contemporary evaluation practice. Practical and transformative participatory evaluation streams are identified, and participatory evaluation is illustrated through case studies. (SLD)

Findings from empirical research on evaluation ethics indicate an apparent lack of consensus within the field concerning what constitutes an ethical issue, the frequent occurrence of problems in the later stages of evaluation projects, and the perceived ethical significance of the tendency of evaluators to be more responsive to some stakeholders…

Used concept mapping and pattern matching in exploratory research to investigate differences in stakeholder perceptions of training results and evaluation. Group perceptions and the individual perceptions of 39 managers, product developers, and training professionals show that all stakeholder groups agreed reasonably well about the importance of…

Identifies strengths and weaknesses of the study of the Comprehensive Child Development Program and draws evaluative conclusions based on the analysis. Cites lack of stakeholder involvement and pilot studies as a weaknesses of the evaluation but notes the general quality of the effort. (SLD)

Inclusive evaluation is intended to emphasize a participatory, collaborative approach to evaluation. This panel considered what inclusive evaluation approaches look like in current practice and how to implement these approaches in practice successfully. The importance of respecting stakeholders is emphasized. (SLD)

Lau and May's study of 58 "best U.S. companies to work for" and 88 top Standard and Poor's companies suggests that companies with high quality of working life can also enjoy exceptional growth and profitability. Schurman's critique notes that their sample does not reflect conditions in the majority of U.S. employers. (SK)

Discussion of performance technology and training evaluation focuses on a job analysis process in the Coast Guard. Topics include problems with low survey response rates; costs; the need for appropriate software; discussions with stakeholders and subject matter experts; and maximizing worthy performance. (LRW)

Presents an approach increasingly employed by businesses to track and respond to their customers to provide better and faster services: customer relationship management. Discusses its applicability to the operations of higher education and institutional research and the role it plays in the knowledge management framework. (EV)

Discusses what it means to be a caring stakeholder and a participatory evaluator in the context of public and private domains using the example of a parent who is an evaluator of an afterschool program. Offers a perspective on the capacity of individual evaluators to deal with role strain. (SLD)

A model for collecting and using stakeholder input on research priorities is a modification of Guba and Lincoln's model, involving preevaluation preparation, stakeholder identification, information gathering and analysis, interpretive filtering, and negotiation and consensus. A case study at Oklahoma State University illustrates its applicability…

The Scottish Executive, the devolved government for Scotland, is engaging with stakeholders to achieve excellence in the school estate through Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE). Design of the school environment has a direct impact on teaching and learning, activities which can be supported or frustrated by many building elements. Through a…

This study suggests equity of access goes beyond technological availability. Based on a larger exploratory study of the initial implementation stage of the Mexican government's community technology centers, CTCs ("plazas comunitarias"), adult education instructors' perceptions and diffusion practices are described as a mediating factor…

"Teachers are leaders when they function in professional communities to affect student learning; contribute to school improvement; inspire excellence in practice; and empower stakeholders to participate in educational improvement" (Childs-Bowen, Moller, & Scrivner, 2000, p. 28). Enhancing teacher leadership can help schools and districts reach the…