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.
Preface to the Second Edition. Introduction Part 1: Directions 1. Accountability and Evaluation 2. Professional Development and Educational Improvement 3. Curriculum Review Part 2: Strategies 4. Evaluation by Outsiders 5 . Evaluation by Insiders 6. Combined Strategies Part 3: Techniques 7. General Approaches 8. A Review of Specific Techniques 9. Issues Part 4: Using Evaluation 10. Reporting Evaluation 11. Learning from Evaluation
Biography
McCormick, Robert; James, Mary
From reviews of the original publication:
'Curriculum Evaluation in Schools by Robert McCormick and Mary James is surely the best book on evaluation so far available'. British Journal of lnservice Education.
’The Authors display a deep knowledge, not only of the theoretical issues involved, but also of the fascinating variety of institutions that are trying to implement a more explicit evaluation programme. It is difficult to think, amongst the rapidly expanding literature in this area, of another volume which does this. It will, therefore, be essential reading for anyone working in their field in higher education, or administrative and advisory positions' B.E.R.A.
