Effective Program Evaluation describes a systematic way
to compare the current performance of a program,
practice, or strategy to the outcomes that were
anticipated when the program was implemented.
It provides a robust view of existing programs,
practices, and strategies, and objectively displays what
is working well, what could be improved, and how those improvements could be made.

Mardale Dunsworth, Dawn Billings
A Joint Publication of Solution Tree and the National Association of Elementary School Principals

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Effective Program Evaluation

By Mardale Dunsworth and Dawn Billings 

A Joint Publication of Solution Tree and 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.

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
  

Resources

Please feel free to use the following resources to support your study and implementation of program evaluation.

• Effective Program Evaluation Study Guide.
• The Vocabulary of Program Evaluation. Effective Program Evaluation Appendix

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