ERIC Number: ED366017
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1993-Nov
Pages: 11
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Evaluating Program Administration. Looking Out Looking In: An Evaluation of Selection Procedure.
Alexander, Bryant K.
A recent case at a state university sought to challenge the notion that Directors of Forensics are empowered to make decisions that will govern tournament entries. A student who had been doing extremely well in forensics, but was causing some difficulties in the program was admonished for her behavior. The student's debate tournament participation was curtailed, with specific guidelines indicating how further participation would be possible. The dean of the college of arts and humanities, as well as the president of the university, supported the decision. The student filed a complaint of sex discrimination with the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR). The director of forensics gathered requested information and formulated a response to the complaint. A month later, the OCR determined that evidence failed to substantiate the allegation of sex discrimination. Implications of this case are: (1) the nature of the investigation implies that any disgruntled student can make charges against programs with or without merit; (2) the investigative procedures imply compliance as a means of assessing the validity of the charges; (3) the breadth and depth of information requested implies that forensics programs should maintain historical files of student participation dating back three years; (4) directors of forensics should be conscious of the gender balance of students selected for tournament participation; and (5) directors of forensics should be able to clearly defend their selection procedures. Directors of forensics should be forewarned and clearly articulate and document their methods to justify their actions. (RS)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A