Evaluation of Selected Websites at the U.S. Department of Education: Increasing Access to Web-Based Resources.

The Department of Education's Web site (http://www.ed.gov) is a rich information and service resource that is widely used both within the Department of Education and by a variety of users external to the Department. It provides extensive information about the Department and its programs and services, enables users to interact efficiently with some programs, and serves diverse audiences. As the Web site has grown and developed, a number of issues have arisen that require attention. This document presents results of an evaluation of the site from four perspectives: management assessment, policy analysis, log and transaction analysis, and usability testing. The full report is presented in five major sections and capped by an Executive Summary. Following Section I: "Introduction" in which the study objectives and methods are outlined, each of the four assessment techniques and associated findings are represented as individual sections--Section II: "Management Assessment"; Section III: "Policy Assessment"; Section IV: "Technical Assessment"; and Section V: "User Assessment." Within each section, the methodology is detailed, findings presented, and recommendations suggested. Appendices include details of data collection instruments and other background information. (Author/AEF) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. 4r4 EVALUATION OF SELECTED WEBSITES AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: INCREASING ACCESS TO WEB-BASED RESOURCES