Local relevance evaluation in the accreditation bodies for engineering masters programs

Accreditation models in the international context mainly consider the evaluation of learning outcomes and the ability of programs (or higher education institutions) to achieve the educational objectives stated in their mission. However, it is not clear if these objectives and therefore their outcomes satisfy real national and regional needs, a critical point in engineering master's programs, especially in developing countries. The aim of this paper is to study the importance of the local relevancy evaluation of these programs and to analyze the main models of quality assurance and accreditation bodies of USA, Europe and Latin America, in order to ascertain whether the relevancy is evaluated or not. After a literature review, we found that in a free-market economic context and international education, the accreditation of master's programs follows an international accreditation model, and doesńt take in account in most cases criteria and indicators for local relevancy. It concludes that it is necessary both, international accreditation to ensure the effectiveness of the program (achievement of learning outcomes) and the national accreditation through which it could ensure local relevancy of programs, for which we are giving some indicators.

Sources of selection bias in evaluating social programs: An interpretation of conventional measures and evidence on the effectiveness of matching as a program evaluation method

This paper decomposes the conventional measure of selection bias in observational studies into three components. The first two components are due to differences in the distributions of characteristics between participant and nonparticipant (comparison) group members: the first arises from differences in the supports, and the second from differences in densities over the region of common support. The third component arises from selection bias precisely defined. Using data from a recent social experiment, we find that the component due to selection bias, precisely defined, is smaller than the first two components. However, selection bias still represents a substantial fraction of the experimental impact estimate. The empirical performance of matching methods of program evaluation is also examined. We find that matching based on the propensity score eliminates some but not all of the measured selection bias, with the remaining bias still a substantial fraction of the estimated impact. We find that the support of the distribution of propensity scores for the comparison group is typically only a small portion of the support for the participant group. For values outside the common support, it is impossible to reliably estimate the effect of program participation using matching methods. If the impact of participation depends on the propensity score, as we find in our data, the failure of the common support condition severely limits matching compared with random assignment as an evaluation estimator.

An evaluation of existing motor vehicle diagnostic inspection concepts. Volume III: characteristics of periodic vehicle inspection programs. (Results of Task 2). Final Task 2 report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

An Evaluation handbook for health education programs in alcohol and substance abuse /

Mode of access: Internet.

The evaluation of highway traffic safety programs. A manual for managers.

Mode of access: Internet.

Self-evaluation of occupational safety and health programs /

Mode of access: Internet.

An Evaluation handbook for health education programs in immunization /

Mode of access: Internet.

An Evaluation handbook for health education programs in nutrition /

Mode of access: Internet.

Experimental evaluation of municipal speed enforcement programs. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Experimental evaluation of sobriety checkpoint programs. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

A follow up evaluation of three classroom - range driver improvement training programs: 1970 - 1974. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Diagnostic motor vehicle inspection demonstration projects, program engineering support. Volume 4 - appendix C: survey and evaluation of inspector training programs. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Evaluation of programs in the Department of Transportation--an assessment.

Mode of access: Internet.