The development of these Evaluative Criteria was proposed in 1980 after numerous requests for such an instrument were received form unit schools, independent schools, parochial schools, regional accrediting associations, and professional organizations. A national advisory committee was selected. Eleven schools were selected to participate in the field testing of this instrument. Results of the field test were presented to the advisory committee, reviewed, and the instrument was approved for publication. This instrument has been designed to be used in the self-study and evaluation process by individual schools containing both elementary and secondary levels. The Evaluative Criteria are organized in eleven sections: School and Community (Public Schools), School and Community (Nonpublic Schools), Philosophy and Objectives, Curriculum: Learning Areas, Curriculum: Overview, Individual Faculty Data, School Staff and Administration, Student Activities Program, Learning Media Services, Student Personnel Services, School Plant, and Plans and Priorities. The accompanying manual describes the organization of the Evaluative Criteria and provides directions for its use in the evaluation process. (BW)