1. Program Evaluation

2. 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

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

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

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

6. Process
Design
Data collection
Data analysis
Data presentation

7. 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

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