This presentation clarifies the role of evaluation in public schools and discusses major problems which block the effectiveness of the role. Evaluation is used in schools to produce information that helps decision makers choose among alternative courses of action. Purpose, rather than methodology, distinguishes evaluation from research. The need for care, precision, and logical thought, however, is common to both. One set of major problems is technical and involves such things as measurement and choice of appropriate analysis techniques. A second set revolves around the need for decision makers to follow a rational approach and to avoid reverting to "gut" feelings in every stress situation. Finally, evaluators must produce pertinent information, in the most useful format, at key points in time. (Author)