NONFORMAL HOME STUDY SECONDARY EDUCATION

Evaluation covers the period from 4/77 to 11/78 and is based on a review of project documents and interviews with project personnel. The Government of the Dominican Republic (GODR) has increased financial and legislative support to IDEI. Under IDEI"s new Executive Director (hired 7/77), project administration has been streamlined and improved through staff reductions. A uniform system of communication with students has been created; a contractor to create a computerized records system has been selected; and a five-year financial plan has been prepared. The instruction program has been made more efficient, with in-service training completed for 70 tutors and 20 representatives, and bi-annual student examinations initiated. The quality and production of didactic materials has improved. A total of 30 authors have been trained in textbook production; textbooks in 15 subject areas have reached the printing stage; individual student workbooks for all subject areas have been printed; new course materials in the earth sciences are being prepared; and over 900 standardized test items have been written. A total of 5,622 poor students have benefitted from the project. The projected drop-out rate reduction (to 20% by 1977/78) was based on insufficient data. The present rate is now 45%. The reenrollment rate is increasing, however, with 67% estimated for 1977/78. Textbook per page production costs have dropped from 7/10[ to 4/10[. The cost per pupil promoted has decreased from $145 in l972/73 to approximately $60. No progress has been made in longitudinal studies of the socioeconomic status of IDEI graduates or in technical/vocational education. Action decisions are directed to both areas (with GODR help expected for the latter), and to continued improvement of IDEI"s Research and Evaluation Unit. Future activities also include textbook revision and production; development of new materials; and financial planning and analysis.