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Program Evaluation KnowledgeBase
This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.
The Program Evaluation KnowledgeBase is an online resource aiding education professionals in understanding the basics of project evaluation in order to properly assess projects and programs. It is organized around three elements to assist educators with their program evaluation.
Element 1: Plan the Evaluation
Purpose: Planning how to conduct a program evaluation is the essessential the first step. The preparatory thinking involves understanding the program being evaluated, organizing an evaluation team and determining how to conduct the evaluation. Element 1 outlines the pre-planning tasks.
Activity 1: Understand Evaluation
Task 1: Evaluation Concepts
Task 2: Understand Scientifically Based Research
Task 3: Types of Research Design
Task 4: Legal and Ethical Considerations
Activity 2: Organize Evaluation Team
Task 1: Identify Stakeholders
Task 2: Establish Evaluation Team
Task 3: Orient Evaluation Team
Task 4: Select Evaluator
Activity 3: Establish Evaluation Focus
Task 1: Describe the Program Being Evaluated
Task 2: Determine Evaluation Purpose
Task 3: Develop Evaluation Questions
Task 4: Identify Required Resources
Element 2: Implement the Evaluation
Purpose: Conducting the evaluation involves designing data collection so the analysis and interpretation will answer the questions the evaluation sets out to resolve. When developing and implementing the evaluation design, be flexible to collect and analyze data from many perspectives. The collected data should be attentive to the evaluation questions. Element 2 outlines the tasks associated with implementing the evaluation.
Activity 1: Data Collection
Task 1: Define Data Requirements
Task 2: Identify Data Collection Methods
Task 3: Collect Data
Activity 2: Understanding the Data
Task 1: Analyze the Data
Task 2: Interpret the Data
Activity 3: Report the Results
Task 1: Write the Report
Task 2: Review with Evaluation Team
Element 3: Use the Results
Purpose: The evaluation's findings and recommendation have limited value unless they are shared with the stakeholders and utilized to improve the evaluated program. Using the results to improve the evaluated program and communicating with constituencies are activities that occur in parallel. Element 3 outlines the tasks associated with using the results.
Activity 1: Communicate with Constituencies
Task 1: Identify Target Audiences
Task 2: Match Message Content with Audience
Task 3: Determine Communication Modes
Task 4: Share Findings
Activity 2: Use Results to Improve
Task 1: Implement Quality Assurance Process
Task 2: Use Data to Make Adjustments
The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and are intended for general reference purposes only. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education or the Center, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Some resources on this site require Adobe Acrobat Reader. This website archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.