Ronald Erickson

Multiattribute Evaluation of Program Alternatives Within Special Education

This paper reports on the use of multiattribute evaluation techniques for assisting policy and program decision makers in special education in determining program effectiveness and efficiency. Illustrative procedures and techniques are drawn from a case study on the costs, outcomes, and cost-utility of special education programs that serve students with substantial disabilities across three alternative Minnesota administrative structures (i.e., an independent school district, an intermediate school district, and a special education cooperative). Several recommendations are made with regard to the utility of the methodology for both policy and administrative decision makers.

Focus-group research on Minnesota's implementation of graduation standards testing

Abstract Two focus-group interviews with 23 Minnesota educators were conducted by the Minnesota Assessment Project to obtain in-depth information on the participation of limited English-proficient (LEP) students in the first round of the Minnesota Basic Standards tests. Responses to open-ended questions were audiotaped while a research assistant took field notes. An inductive technique was used to identify themes and patterns in the comments. Four important findings may be applied to any large-scale assessment in any state: (a) Participation of LEP students in large-scale assessments is important, (b) educators often do not consider using testing accommodations for LEP students, (c) clear communication about the test is extremely important, and (d) test preparation should not detract from regular instruction.

The Use and Reporting of Benefit-Cost Analyses By State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

This article focuses on the current applications and reporting of benefit-cost analyses by many state VR agencies and proposes several alternative procedures for improving the economic analysis of these programs. The article (1) briefly reviews the current practices of most VR agencies in their use and reporting of benefit-cost results, (2) identifies several of the most problematic issues, and (3) illustrates with empirical data several alternative ways in which evaluation results relating to efficiency could be reported.