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Effective Program Evaluation

 A Joint Publication With the National Association of Elementary School Principals

Educators and administrators increasingly realize the importance of making decisions based on reliable, accurate data. However, it is not always clear how to gather such data, or what to do with the data once collected. Effective Program Evaluation provides a clear and easily implemented blueprint for evaluating K–8 academic programs, practices, and strategies. This blueprint will help answer such questions as:
  • Is our math curriculum adequately targeting higher-order thinking skills?
  • What steps could we take to ensure that our response to intervention (RTI) program meets the needs of all students?
  • How well does our classroom instruction in social studies align with standards and learning goals?
The authors provide clear directions and examples to guide the reader through a five-step process for systematically gathering, objectively evaluating, and constructively acting on data. These five steps form the core of a program evaluation cycle:
  1. Creating and completing a program evaluation blueprint to define the purpose and scope of the evaluation
  2. Gathering data needed to assess a program's effectiveness
  3. Analyzing the data in order to identify a program's strengths and weaknesses
  4. Using the results of the program evaluation to plan next steps
  5. Communicating results to stakeholders in order to build community involvement and support
This Essentials for Principals series guide provides a framework for transparent, accurate evaluation of current practices and inclusive planning. It includes a step-by-step walkthrough of the program evaluation cycle and an appendix that explains vital concepts and vocabulary in accessible language.

Benefits

Gain detailed, straightforward strategies for:
  • Selecting data collection strategies that will yield the most useful data
  • Determining how well a program is aligned with standards and meeting learning goals
  • Understanding a program or instructional strategy's strengths and identifying ways to address its weaknesses
  • Including a variety of stakeholders in the program evaluation process and ensuring transparency and collaboration throughout
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Chapter 1: Defining Program Evaluation
Chapter 2: Creating and Completing a Program Evaluation Blueprint
Chapter 3: Gathering Data
Chapter 4: Analyzing the Data
Chapter 5: Using the Results of the Program Evaluation
Chapter 6: Communicating Results
Chapter 7: Looking Back and Planning Forward
Appendix: The Vocabulary of Program Evaluation
References and Resources
Index

 REPRODUCIBLES

The Vocabulary of Program Evaluation
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Mardale Dunsworth
 Mardale Dunsworth 		Dawn Billings
 Dawn Billings
See all School Improvement reproducibles