A Program Evaluation is an important factor in determining if an agency is producing successful results. Usually a program evaluation is requested or brought forth by a specific concern that is in need of being addressed. This type of practice-based research method provides agencies with accountability. Sometimes a program evaluation is needed in order for some agencies to continue to receive funding to keep their programs, to meet accreditation standards, and to ensure clients are being helped by the programs (Royse, 2011). Before performing a program evaluation, it is important to consider many factors such as time, resources, audience, and purpose. A time limit for an agency evaluation could change the direction the evaluation goes. Resources are definitely an important aspect of the evaluation. A lack of resources could result in a simpler process whether than a copyrighted tool for an evaluation. The type of audience and purpose will in turn decide which type of method is to be implemented. The written report should be prepared for the type of audience that will be examining it. Each audience will require their unique writing style (Royse, 2011). For example, if the audience is a group of high school students, it would be necessary to write in a less complex writing style.
Project Identification The project identified in this paper is of the Northeastern State University (NSU) Social Work Practicum program. “The Northeastern State University 's Social Work
Evaluation is a process that is used to look at the project, policy or program critically. It includes the collection and analyzing information that is related to the program or policy and that of its outcome. The Main purpose is to improve the policy or the program effectiveness. This will also help to identify any of the weak areas and changes that need to be made in the policy.
Garthwait, C. L. (2014). The Social Work Practicum: A Guide and Workbook for Students (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
First, would look at my measurement method to make sure that it is reliable and valid. Making sure that the measurements are representing the people and the program accurately, enough sample size is use to represent the program, and make sure there is no participants contamination. Second, the time from when the program started and when the evaluation process starts can also show that the program have no impact. It takes a long time for programs to work out the kink and bumps along the way and sometimes having an evaluation conducted within a year will not show the program at its full potential. There is also the sleeper effect where the program will not show impact until a much later time. Having an open and clear communication with the stakeholders will let me know what they are looking in the program evaluation so that I can focus on those aspects to make sure I use accurate
To ensure that my program evaluation is objective, credible and fair I would employ internal and external counselors or advisors as well as align my program evaluation with the standards and practices of the professional body of evaluators. These “advisors “may or may not include the program stakeholders, but would not negate the formal process of collaborating with key stakeholders. Rather, the purpose of my advisor team is to see and hear things I missed.
Evaluation have its pros and cons depending on the type of evaluation. A beneficial evaluation is the overall success of the type of service that is being rendered. Depending on the resources that is offered and rather or not the staff is effective in achieving their goals with the client. Basically, a chain of cause and effect is the mission of human services agencies. The evaluation will determine rather the agencies is having an impact on the services that are provided, and what difference it has made on the person. The purpose is the primary target of what the agencies are initiated in their mission. If the outcome is measured in conducting an evaluation in the agencies, the management should elaborate on the services, networking capacity, budget, and practice skills of the workers when dealing with clients. Human services workers could have a clearer picture of the purpose of the organization, and helpful tips on dealing with clients. Many questions and answers should be in the evaluation session with the workers, especially about satisfaction with reaching their goals with the organization. This type of evaluation is the pro to the workers and the administration could get a better handle on what to take out of the program or what to add, no one is in the hot
In order to implement a program evaluation to determine client gains, there will be a team consisting of myself as the lead consultant, 3-4 program evaluation support staff members who will assist in the evaluation process and one staff member from the center being included to provide relevant center information. Key staff from the center will be asked to form an advisory group where all evaluation measures, outcomes and processes will be discussed, approved and presented.
Program Evaluation There are many different types of evaluations and reasons to conduct program evaluations. For example, cost/benefit analysis, assessment needs, effectiveness, and outcomes. Program evaluations is a complex but an integral component of a nursing program. Also, program evaluations is an ongoing process of collecting and describing data which provides the basis for decision making. Specifically, evaluation data can be used to prepare for accreditation visits, develop faculty and staff, examine the planned and actual
A program evaluation offers a way to determine if adjustments are needed to improve upon the project in order for it to remain successful. Furthermore, the project evaluation team will analyze and measure each component of the outcome, input, and process in order to clarify the program’s objectives and goals. Thus creating a framework of evaluation methods and questions in addition to setting up a timeline for the evaluation activities will assist in the evaluation (CDC, 2011; HRSA, n.d.; McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). The goal of outcome measures is to describe the overall performance of the process; therefore, outcome measurement will determine the program cost-effectiveness, attribution, and efficiency (CDC, 2012; HRSA, n.d.; McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). There will be additional evaluation concerning the input measures, which are the resources that were put into the process. Lastly, the appraisal of process measures will provide data regarding the performance each course of action involved in the implantation of the project (HRSA, n.d.). After a thorough evaluation of the project, recommendations and the dissemination of results will be prepared and
A process evaluation is a tool utilized to identify the key components of intervention that are effective and under what conditions. Additionally it also evaluates the extent to which a program is being implemented as planned. A process evaluation can be broken down into six steps which are depicted in the diagram below. In order to engage stake holders the process must begin at the evaluation cycle. Stakeholders in regards to our program include those who are directly involved with program operations. This includes the staff utilized to procure supplies and equipment, those involved in the delivery of supplies equipment, those who distribute educational materials, those that perform diabetic testing and those that interact with the target
Purpose of the evaluation: What aspect of the program would you assess? How does this complement the larger group evaluation? (5 points)
Program evaluation is a system that determines a program’s effectiveness and efficiency. This means whatever the programs expectations are must be kept. Efficiency is measured by the outcomes that are achieved with effort, limited time and additional resources. Excellent program evaluation includes subjective or objective information based on many different options. Human Services programs are important to evaluate for numerous reasons. The program can save time by finding out what works or doesn’t work for them. Making the community more aware of the program and how it benefits participants. The ability to prove the program’s effectiveness can help raise additional funding. The staff of the agency will be able to identify strengths and weakness. Also, bring more awareness to the Human Services field by educating other programs how to get started.
Program assessment methodically reviews obtainable evidence on the effectiveness of public programs. The budget expansion incorporates proof of program effectiveness into budget and policy determinations, giving subsidy preference to those that produce a high return on investment of public funds. Implementation oversight provides safeguards allowing programs to be effectively delivered. Outcome monitoring regularly measures and report result data to govern whether programs are attaining desired goals. Targeted
Program evaluators have to make a determination in the planning of their evaluations as to what success means or looks like. They also have to be ready for data gathered that was not intended or expected. Each of the evaluation models discussed help to paint a picture of the worth of a program whether subjectively or objectively using qualitative and quantitative methods of data gathering. The result is the review of program efficiency, effectiveness, and impact and that all wraps up into whether the program did what it said it would all while showing a return on the investment both in non-exorbitant spending and sustained behavior change that positively moves the needle toward an organizational
Another model of evaluation based on the personal observations makes the use of intensive personal observations and conversations with the stakeholders would be the proponents of “qualitative or naturalistic” argues that only a deep and thorough understanding of a program will permit the most helpful with the evaluation. Offering the “expert opinion model” where the evaluator must be the data-gathering instrument; yet, a greater emphasis is placed on the understanding the experiences to such issues.
I enjoyed reading your post. As we have learned during this discussion board through our classmates, there are a plethora of different ways that can be used to evaluate programs. You gave numerous examples as to why program evaluations are important in early childhood education and why they are conducted in the first place. Another reason that program evaluations are conducted are to see if the program is working (Gilliam & Leiter, 2003). For instance, the Head Start Program at my school constantly makes changes to their program due to their yearly evaluation. If they see that something is not working, the head of the program tries to come up with different ways to change what is not working to try and make the program better for the students.