Includes bibliographical references (p. 243-252) and indexes.

Part 1 Introduction: four kinds of data; experiments - finding out the effects of actions; do we really need performance indicators? Part 2 Philosophical approaches: science and complexity; coping with complexity. Part 3 An up-and-running indicator system: the ALIS project. Part 4 Measurements for monitoring systems: measuring achievement - problems and conflicts; assessment - some "solutions". Including an assessment transcript; assessing vocational courses; measuring attitudes; measuring processes; assessing the quality of measurements. Part 5 Basic statistical procedures for monitoring: value added; relative ratings - assessing the relative performance of departments using a single set of examination data; aggregation and segregation - what does "means on means" mean? Part 6 The design of performance idicator systems: a general rationale for the design of performance indicator systems; the development and use of indicator systems; further generations of indicators - monitoring systems evolve. Part 7 The impact of monitoring on other systems: wanted - better management; performance-related pay or "merit pay" - a dead alley; LEA's - is resuscitation overdue?; inspection - the accounts are overdue; politics could be so much better; universities - just another kind og business, or something else?