Evaluation of a middle school humanities program is the focus of this report. It explains how to identify information needs and set priorities, how to obtain information from a variety of sources, and what to do with the data collected in terms of formulating recommendations for the school board. The variety of evaluation approaches presented are geared toward supplying alternatives for program planners. Some of the questions raised include: (1) how the findings of the evaluation plan will be presented; (2) what decisions will be made considering the data, and who makes those decisions; (3) what benefits are produced by the program; (4) what relationship exists between what was planned and what is to be implemented; and (5) whether the learning experiences of this program displaces others of higher priority. Chapters by W. James Popham, Deborah G. Bonnet, Robert E. Stake and James A Pearsol, Michael Scriven, Elliot W. Eisner, William J. Webster, Blain R. Worthen, and Henry M. Brickell are included. (Author/GK)

This book reviews the evaluation research literature that has accumulated around 19 K-12 mathematics curricula and breaks new ground in framing an ambitious and rigorous approach to curriculum evaluation that has relevance beyond mathematics. The committee that produced this book consisted of mathematicians, mathematics educators, and methodologists who began with the following charge: Evaluate the quality of the evaluations of the thirteen National Science Foundation (NSF)-supported and six commercially generated mathematics curriculum materials; Determine whether the available data are sufficient for evaluating the efficacy of these materials, and if not; Develop recommendations about the design of a project that could result in the generation of more reliable and valid data for evaluating such materials. The committee collected, reviewed, and classified almost 700 studies, solicited expert testimony during two workshops, developed an evaluation framework, established dimensions/criteria for three methodologies (content analyses, comparative studies, and case studies), drew conclusions on the corpus of studies, and made recommendations for future research.

Originally published in 1983 and as a second edition in 1988. An attempt is made in this book to disentangle some of the professional, ethical, political, theoretical and practical issues involved in curriculum evaluation. This book present evidence concerning a number of evaluation strategies and techniques, drawing on experience in several countries, including the UK, Australia and the US, to debate the potential of insider and outsider approaches to evaluation, and combinations of the two. It also offers a practical source book for those wishing to plan and conduct curriculum evaluations. Finally, it considers the crucial question of how evaluation can influence curriculum action and, thereby, teaching and learning.

What is understanding and how does it differ from knowledge? How can we determine the big ideas worth understanding? Why is understanding an important teaching goal, and how do we know when students have attained it? How can we create a rigorous and engaging curriculum that focuses on understanding and leads to improved student performance in today's high-stakes, standards-based environment? Authors Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe answer these and many other questions in this second edition of Understanding by Design. Drawing on feedback from thousands of educators around the world who have used the UbD framework since its introduction in 1998, the authors have greatly revised and expanded their original work to guide educators across the K-16 spectrum in the design of curriculum, assessment, and instruction. With an improved UbD Template at its core, the book explains the rationale of backward design and explores in greater depth the meaning of such key ideas as essential questions and transfer tasks. Readers will learn why the familiar coverage- and activity-based approaches to curriculum design fall short, and how a focus on the six facets of understanding can enrich student learning. With an expanded array of practical strategies, tools, and examples from all subject areas, the book demonstrates how the research-based principles of Understanding by Design apply to district frameworks as well as to individual units of curriculum. Combining provocative ideas, thoughtful analysis, and tested approaches, this new edition of Understanding by Design offers teacher-designers a clear path to the creation of curriculum that ensures better learning and a more stimulating experience for students and teachers alike.

This book addresses the challenges of conducting program evaluations in real-world contexts where evaluators and the agencies face budget and time constraints and where critical data is missing. The book is organized around a seven-step model developed by the authors, which has been tested and refined in workshops. Vignettes and case studies—representing evaluations from a variety of geographic regions and sectors—demonstrate adaptive possibilities for small projects with budgets of a few thousand dollars to large-scale, long-term evaluations. The text incorporates quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method designs and this Second Edition reflects important developments in the field over the last five years.

Curriculum Leadership: Strategies for Development and Implementation, Third Edition is a one-of-a-kind resource written for educational leaders, teachers, and administrators. Responding to the need for globally connected classrooms and innovative leadership, this unique text provides a rich and inclusive foundation of curriculum. The authors draw upon a wide range of research and experience to provide readers with creative, up-to-date curriculum strategies and ideas. In sharing innovative programs, learning experiences, and new approaches, they build a solid connection for curriculum development from theory to practice, helping future leaders in education meet the global challenges of our time.

Teachers and other educationalists are increasingly expected to carry out evaluations of new initiatives. David Hopkins provides a guide to evaluations, the primary focus of which is on practice.

The educators are dedicated and concerned. The curriculum is successful. Yet some students aren't reading at grade level, and meetings air problems without making progress. Many students continue to flounder, leading to more meetings with the same lack of meaningful results. The Practitioner’s Guide to Curriculum-Based Evaluation in Reading gives researchers and professionals the means to break this frustrating cycle, crafted by authors who have not only been there and done that, but can explain in depth how to replicate the method. Focusing on reading but applicable across subject areas, this highly accessible guide defines curriculum-based evaluation (CBE), provides conceptual background, and analyzes its component steps. Assessment and intervention are given equal attention within a problem-solving model featuring tools for skill assessment, progress monitoring, goal setting, and other bedrock tasks. Chapters build to lead readers beyond classroom strategies to guidelines for problem solving and decision making to effectively address individual student needs. Included in the coverage: The curriculum-based evaluation process. Relating CBE to the Multi-Tier System of Support model. Using CBE in daily practice, both in classwork and schoolwide. Decoding, early literacy, and reading comprehension. Progress monitoring and decision making. Plus FAQs, handouts, and other supplemental materials. This level of educational insight and pedagogical detail make the Practitioner’s Guide to Curriculum-Based Evaluation in Reading a clarion call for researchers, graduate students, and professionals in school and clinical child psychology; assessment, testing, and evaluation; applied linguistics; language education; special education and allied education; educational psychology; and social work.

"This is a detailed yet practical guide to planning, developing, and evaluating nursing curricula and educational programs. It provides a comprehensive and critical perspective on the totality of variables impacting curricular decisions...This book provides readers with a comprehensive overview of curriculum development, redesign, and evaluation processes...92 - 4 Stars" --Doody's Book Reviews Reorganized and updated to deliver practical guidelines for evidence-based curricular change and development, the fourth edition of this classic text highlights current research in nursing education as a springboard for graduate students and faculty in their quest for research projects, theses, dissertations, and scholarly activities. It also focuses on the specific sciences of nursing education and program evaluation as they pertain to nursing educators. New chapters address the role of faculty regarding curriculum development and approval processes in changing educational environments; course development strategies for applying learning theories, educational taxonomies, and team-building; needs assessment and the frame factors model; ADN and BSN and pathways to higher degrees; and planning for doctoral education. The fourth edition continues to provide the detailed knowledge and practical applications necessary for new and experienced faculty to participate in essential components of the academic role—instruction, curriculum, and evaluation. At its core, the text discusses the importance of needs assessment and evidence as a basis for revising or developing new programs and highlights requisite resources and political support. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, the book addresses the growth of simulation, how to help new faculty transition into the academic role, and use of curriculum in both practice and academic settings. Additionally, the book describes the history and evolution of current nursing curricula and presents the theories, concepts, and tools necessary for curriculum development. Chapters include objectives, discussion points, learning activities, references, and a glossary. New to the Fourth Edition: Reorganized and updated to reflect recent evidence-based curricular changes and developments Highlights current research New chapter: Implementation of Curriculum – Course Development Strategies for the Application of Learning Theories, Educational Taxonomies, and Instruction Team-Building New chapter on Planning for Undergraduate Programs New content on Needs Assessment and the Frame Factors Model New content on Planning for Doctoral Education in Nursing New content on curriculum evaluation, financial support, budget management, and use of evidence Key Features: Supports new faculty as they transition to academe Addresses the need for preparing more faculty educators as defined by IOM report, the ACA, and the Consensus Model Describes the scope of academic curriculum models at every practice and academic level Threads the concept of interdisciplinary collaboration in education throughout Serves as a CNE Certification Review