For this assignment we were asked to complete an evaluation assessment for our chosen program in order to examine the feasibility of the evaluation, as well as to understand more about the path that the evaluation will take.
I found this exercise to be extremely useful as it really made me sit down and think about what I would like the evaluation to accomplish, and what the best route would be to help reach that goal.
The program that I will be evaluating is the Credit Acquisition Program at Vanier Collegiate. This program is used to help students who cannot receive credits in the traditional classroom work towards receiving their credits so that they can graduate.
In the first section of the assessment I look at the stake holders of the program and how to engage them in the process. I decided that the stake holders need to look at this as a positive experience, so I will pitch it to them as that. We are not here to scrutinize the program, but rather to see what is working and how we can adapt the things that aren’t working to make the program work to its fullest potential.
The next section of the assessment looks into Focusing the Evaluation. It examines what types of questions this evaluation will look to answer. Some of the questions are, “Is this program addressing a real problem?”, “What does the program do?”, “What are the desired outcomes of the program?”, etc.
The next section of the assessment discusses the collection of the data. I decided that I will collect using a variety of methods including; Survey, Interview, Observation, Document Review, and Testimonials. I decided to use these methods based on the nature of the program and how it runs. I wanted to obtain data in the least intrusive possible way, and I felt that I will receive the biggest picture of the program by looking at it from all of these different angles. I will have surveys during and immediately after the program. I will collect observations during the program. I will review documents before and immediately after the program. I will interview participants during the program, and receive testimonials following the program.
And finally the assessment looks at how the evaluation will be shared with the stakeholders. I decided that the administration will receive a copy of the final evaluation, and we will meet one on one as well. The CAP teachers and other teachers will also receive a copy of the final document, and the information will be shared to them during a staff meeting.
I have attached the completed worksheet below this blog post.
Mark thanks for sharing your enthusiasm for your program. You address most of the required details related to the program plan. I like the comprehensiveness of the stakeholders you wish to include. Although you are not planning on studying all aspects of the program what I see is a solid focus that will generate useful results. My questions to you are how will you analyze the data and how do you plan to mange the evaluation and stay try to the standards of good program evaluation?
ReplyDeleteJay