The methodology developed for the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications' evaluation of the "New Pathways to a Degree" projects funded by the Annenberg/CPB Project is described. This methodology provides an approach for conducting a valid, reliable evaluation effort that is sensitive to specific institutional issues and contingencies, while providing generalizable results for cross-institutional discussions. Also included is a description of an environmental scan process that reveals the data points found most useful in evaluating distance learning projects. Seven projects were funded through the New Pathways initiative. The key to consistency in data collection and reporting within and across sites in this evaluation was to establish a framework within which the evaluations would occur. The evaluation approach used protocols for quantitative and qualitative investigation that facilitated systematic decision making with regard to: (1) context evaluation; (2) input evaluation; (3) process evaluation; and (4) product evaluation. Nine categories of information were identified as areas in which evaluative data were likely to be collected. The environmental scan provided evaluators with a way to determine the information actually being collected. Thirteen attachments illustrate the evaluation approach. (SLD)