Resource Papers and Technical Reports. Research into Practice Project.

This document contains three papers developed by the Center for the Study of Evaluation's (CSE's) Research into Practice Project. The first paper, "A Process for Designing and Implementing a Dual Purpose Evaluation System," by Pamela Aschbacher and James Burry, provides a model for evaluating programs for two purposes simultaneously: (1) program improvement; and (2) policymaking. While this paper was written to answer needs of individuals interested in educational evaluation, it can also provide formative information for local program managers and serve the accountability and reporting needs of a state legislature, district office, or other policymaking body. The second paper, "The Credibility of Student Self-Reports," by C. Robert Pace et al., demonstrates that there are many ways to confirm the accuracy, reliability, and validity of student self reports. Part 1 summarizes highlights from the literature and adds comments from the author's research; Part 2 reports on three questionnaires. The third paper "Assessing Instructionl Outcomes," by Eva L. Baker and Harold F. O'Neil, Jr., presents a discussion of outcome assessment that puts into context the evolution of measurement from its beginnings up to its present state. It looks at commonly used psychometric measures, including criterion-referenced, norm-referenced and domain-referenced tests. A special model of evaluation, designed to be adapted especially to the problem of new technologies, is offered. (LMO)