Individuals, teams and organizations make decisions everyday intended to improve performance. But, too often, they rush into finding the solution before defining the problem.This book contains seven self-assessments designed to help you define the issue of ""what to accomplish"" before deciding ""how to accomplish it."" With these seven assessments, you can collect, analyze and interpret the data necessary to confirm your suspicions before making recommendations.Do you feel there is neglect of the strategic planning process in your organization? Is it time to move into E-learning? Does your corporate culture require change? Avoid jumping to conclusions - gather the facts first and be sure you are headed where you want to end up before selecting how to get there.In nine chapters, the authors present seven self-assessments: Strategic Thinking and Planning; Needs Assessment and Your Organization; Corporate Culture and Your Organization; Evaluation and Your Organization; Performance Improvement Competencies; Performance Motivation to Change; and, Organizational Readiness for E-learning.Each instrument uses a unique dual response - ""what is"" and ""what should be"" - format with performance-related questions. The book includes instructions on how to complete the surveys, decide what the results mean and use the results. Also included is a glossary of terms used that focuses on results and payoffs instead of the process, activities and interventions applied.

Most teachers try to avoid evaluation, but that's no longer an option in this age of accountability and school reform. However, evaluation doesn't need to be something that teachers fear. As the authors of this accessible resource guide so aptly show, evaluation can be done with a minimum of fuss and without an advanced degree in statistics and research methodology. This user-friendly guide includes easy-to-understand examples, checklists, sample exercises, discussion questions and step-by-step guidance for educational evaluation. It also contains a case study that follows one school and educational authority through the evaluation process, showing what evaluation looks like and feels like in schools and districts. The authors provide a comprehensive set of concepts and guidelines for conducting evaluation studies. The book is results-centered and focused on proven concepts and methods. The authors have developed a simple, four-step process to guide teachers through evaluation: alignment and direction; observations, results, and action and adjustment.

Most teachers try to avoid evaluation, but that's no longer an option in this age of accountability and school reform. However, evaluation doesn't need to be something that teachers fear. As the authors of this accessible resource guide so aptly show, evaluation can be done with a minimum of fuss and without an advanced degree in statistics and research methodology. This user-friendly guide includes easy-to-understand examples, checklists, sample exercises, discussion questions and step-by-step guidance for educational evaluation. It also contains a case study that follows one school and educational authority through the evaluation process, showing what evaluation looks like and feels like in schools and districts. The authors provide a comprehensive set of concepts and guidelines for conducting evaluation studies. The book is results-centered and focused on proven concepts and methods. The authors have developed a simple, four-step process to guide teachers through evaluation: alignment and direction; observations, results, and action and adjustment.