Program Evaluation in Practice: Core Concepts and Examples for Discussion and Analysis
The lack of teaching cases in program evaluation is often cited as a gap in the field. This ground-breaking book fills this gap, covering the essentials of program evaluation as it is used in education and with a wide variety of evaluation projects to be discussed, analyzed, and reflected upon. The book covers the essentials of program evaluation, including foundation and types of evaluation, tools for collecting data, writing of reports, and sharing of findings. Individual cases cover...
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Program Evaluation in PracticeIn the field of program evaluation, there is a decided lack of teaching cases. Program Evaluation in Practice, fills this gap and covers the essentials of program evaluation as it is used in education. The book provides a wide variety of evaluation projects that can be used for discussion, for analysis, and for reflection. Program Evaluation in Practice addresses foundations and theories of evaluation, tools for collecting data, writing of reports, and sharing of findings. Individual cases focus on classroom instruction, a community-based program, teacher training, professional development, a secondary-school based program, an after-school program, reading achievement, a school-improvement grant, and confidentiality. Designed as a practical classroom text, each of the book's case studies uses the following framework: The Evaluator: Discusses the role of the evaluator in a particular project as well as the evaluator's background and education. The Evaluation Plan: Maps out the evaluator's detailed plan and explains the objectives, methods, and tools that are used. Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings: Describes the evaluator's data collection process and offers an overview of the evaluation findings. At the end of each case, the evaluator is presented with a dilemma to resolve. Final Thoughts: Concludes the chapter with an explanation of what really happened at the end of the evaluation, shows how the evaluator handled the dilemma, and provides the results of the project. As useful for students as it is for evaluators in training, Program EvaluationPractice is a must-have for those aspiring to become effective evaluators.
List of Tables, Figures, and Exhibits xiPreface xiiiAcknowledgments xviiThe Author xixIntroductionFoundations of Program Evaluation 3Program Evaluation Vignette 3What Is Program Evaluation? 5Training in Program Evaluation 10Internal and External Evaluators 11Types or Models of Program Evaluation 12How to Use this Book 14Additional Resources 14Tools for Collecting Data 19Writing the Evaluation Report 29Dissemination and Use of Evaluation Findings 32Case StudiesImproving Student Performance in Mathematics Through Inquiry-Based Instruction 39Learning Objectives 39The Evaluator 40The Program 44The Evaluation Plan 45Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 49Final Thoughts 53Key Concepts 53Discussion Questions 53Class Activities 54Suggested Reading 54Evaluation of a Community-Based Mentor Program 55LearningObjective 55The Evaluators 55The Program 57The Evaluation Plan 58Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 62Final Thoughts 63Key Concepts 63Discussion Questions 63Class Activities 64Suggested Reading 64Teacher Candidates Integrating Technology into Their Student Teaching Experience 65Learning Objectives 65The Evaluators 66The Program 66The Evaluation Plan 66Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 72Final Thoughts 72Key Concepts 72Discussion Questions 72Class Activities 73Suggested Reading 74Evaluation of a Professional Development Technology Project in a Low-Performing School District 75Learning Objectives 75The Evaluator 76The Program 76The Evaluation Plan 78Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 81Final Thoughts 81Key Concepts 82Discussion Questions 82Class Activities 82Suggested Reading 83Expansion of a High school Science Program 85Learning Objectives 85The Evaluators 85The Program 86The Evaluation Plan 86Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 89Final Thoughts 90Key Concepts 90Discussion Questions 90Class Activities 91Suggested Reading 91Evaluation of a Proven Practice for Reading Achievement 93Learning Objectives 93The Evaluators 94The Program 94The Evaluation Plan 95Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 95Final Thoughts 97Key Concepts 97Discussion Questions 97Class Activities 98Suggested Reading 98Project Plan for Evaluation of a Statewide After-School Initiative 99Learning Objectives 99The Evaluators 100The Program 100The Initial Challenge 102The Evaluation Plan 105Final Thoughts 106Key Concepts 106Discussion Questions 106Class Activities 107Suggested Reading 107Evaluation of a Training Program in Mathematics for Teachers 109Learning Objectives 109The Evaluators 109The Program 110The Evaluation Plan 111Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 113Final Thoughts 000Key Concepts 117Discussion Questions 117Class Activities 118Suggested Reading 118Evaluators-in-Training: Issues of Confidentiality 119Learning Objectives 119The Evaluators 119The Program 120The Evaluation Plan 122Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 127Final Thoughts 127Key Concepts 127Discussion Questions 127Class Activities 128Suggested Reading 129Evaluation of a School Improvement Grant to Increase Parent Involvement 131Learning Objectives 131The Evaluators 132The Program 132The Evaluation Plan 132Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 136Final Thoughts 137Key Concepts 137Discussion Questions 137Class Activities 138Suggested Reading 138References 139Index 141
