Program Evaluation

What is program evaluation “the identification, clarification, and application of defensible criteria to determine an evaluation object’s value (worth or merit) in relation to those criteria.” p. 5 PROGRAM EVALUATION

Types of program evaluation Needs Assessment – planning Process Assessment – implementation Outcomes Assessment- impact Efficiency/Effectiveness-cost/benefit

WHY DO EVALUATION? 1) utilization – changes, continuation, planning, termination 2) timeliness – usefulness 3) program uses significant resources or has some visibility, viability

Steps Determine standards Collect information Apply standards Make judgments on program quality, viability, effectiveness

Process Design Data collection Data analysis Data presentation

History Based in accreditation/education policies from late 1800’s, early 1900’s Gained momentum in post-WWII era with applied social research in the military, education Great Society programs – jobs training, housing, urban development ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Ed Act) 1965 – massive funding Today, required for most federal programs: NCLB

EVALUATOR AS PROGRAM ADVOCATE: Evaluators make choices about questions, methods, reporting but do not advocate a point of view