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.

Task 4: Select Evaluator

Guideline: As noted by the Center for Disease Control's Evaluation Working Group, "program descriptions convey the mission and objectives of the program being evaluated. Descriptions should be sufficiently detailed to ensure understanding of program goals and strategies. The description should discuss the program's capacity to effect change, its stage of development, and how it fits into the larger organization and community. Program descriptions set the frame of reference for all subsequent decisions in an evaluation. The description enables comparisons with similar programs and facilitates attempts to connect program components to their effects. Moreover, stakeholders might have differing ideas regarding program goals and purposes. Evaluations done without agreement on the program definition are likely to be of limited use."

Resources

References

Describe the Program

This program evaluation guidance from the Centers for Disease Control suggests a framework for describing the program being evaluated. A properly defined program sets the tone for an effective evaluation. Though intended for the public health environment the content may be of interest to educators.

Logic Models

When creating any type of plan it is important to closely look at how it will work and how its pieces fit together. Links to resources explaining the logic model concept are offered to assist the project team apply the concept with their project planning.

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.