FITNESS REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04718A001700230023-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 5, 2001
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: February 23, 1955
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2001/08 ,- DP78-04718A001700230023-5
23 February 1955
HE MORiANDUM FOR: Director of Training
: Fitness Report
SUBJECT
1. Immediately upon the adoption of the Fitness iteport last fall,
steps were taken which will lead to its eventual improvement. A
questionnaire was constructed, and from 1000 to 1500 copies distributed
to those who were rendering Fitness Reports.
2. The questionnaire is being returned very slowly. As yet, an
insufficient number have been received to make a thorough analysis
profitable. A preliminary analysis of the 173 questionnaires that have
been received suggests three conclusions: (1) there are questions which
will need changing; (2) there is no overwhelming objection among super-
visors to the report as it stands; and (3) an opinion held by the A and
E Staff is confirmed, namely that it is impossible to find a question
that will not be objected to by someone.
3. Concerning the 50 items in Section IV, one of the most con-
troversial sections of the report, raters were asked to strongly approve,
approve, indicate whether the item was acceptable, disapprove, or
strongly disapprove the use of each item. The percentage of raters
indicating the various degrees of approval or disapproval for a typical
series of items are given below:
Strongly
v
A
A grove
Acceptable
Disapprove
Strongly
Disa prove Omit
Item
Appro
e
Can make decisions
on his own when
need arises
45
41
9
Has initiative
48
35
9
3
2
Can get along
with people
32
45
9
Knows when to seek
assistance
36
14.5
12
3
Calm
11,
40
29
14
2
Tough minded
5
17
23
40
Stimulating to As-
sociates: a sparkplug 10 33
34
14
Admits his errors 26 39
x,24
5
Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RUP78-04718A001700230023-5
 Approved For Release 2001/08/07 1'CIA-RDP78-04718A001700230023-5
4. A tentative conclusion from reactions to the questionnaire
is that from 10 to 15 of the 50 items in Section IV will need deletion
or modification.
5. It should be noted that 60 per cent of the 173 returning
questionnaires have been with the Agency more than 4 years. Thus, the
questionnaires have been completed by relatively experienced Agency
personnel.
6. One of the most controversial items concerning the Fitness
deport is whether or not it should be shown to the individual rated.
Only 23 per cent actually disapprove of the section concerning showing
the report as it now stands. 62 per cent believe that it should be
required to be shown to an unsatisfactory employee and 50 per cent
believe it should be shown to other than unsatisfactory employees. In
terms of what people actually do, 45 per cent of the Fitness Reports
received and tabulated have been shown to the individual. These results
indicate the controversial nature of this problem and indicate that
any departure from the present method will require decisions at a high
Agency level.
7. The present Fitness Report was not designed to be applicable
to clerical personnel. It has received some criticism on this account.
Of the 384 reports thus far tabulated, the maximum per cent of checks
in the "Not Observed" column is 30. The next highest is 16 per cent,
and for most items it is below 10. Apparently, raters are finding it
possible to rate a large majority of their subordinates with these
items. This is not to say that Section IV could not be improved from
the standpoint of its applicability to clerical workers.
8. Experience with fitness reporting has made it clear that
raters become confused if changes are made rapidly or on bases so
fragile that the changes later are withdrawn. Experience with fitness
reporting has also made it clear that the only solid bases on which
they can be revised are (1) studies of how raters actually use the
items, and (2) questionnaires to determine which kind of items the
raters themselves find most acceptable. Studies of both kinds will be
undertaken. The slow rate of return of both the questionnaires and
the Fitness Reports is delaying these studies. The results recorded
above must be considered tentative until a number of Fitness Reports
and questionnaires sufficient to warrant a really thorough analysis
have been received.
25X1A9a
Chief
Assessment and Evaluation Staff
Distribution:
Orig & 1 - Addressee
1 - AES
Approved For Release 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP78-04718AO01700230023-5