| Roundtable: Are Program Evaluation Centers Really Collaborating With Low-income Communities in Hopes of Closing the Academic Achievement Gap? |
| Roundtable Presentation 902 to be held in Suwannee 21 on Saturday, Nov 14, 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM |
| Sponsored by the Collaborative, Participatory & Empowerment Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Debra Thrower, University of South Florida at Tampa, dthrower@tampabay.rr.com |
| Abstract: Pre-K through 12th grade students who reside in low-income neighborhoods and attend low-performing schools continues to demonstrate a need for support. Many faith-based and community-based organizations have accepted the challenge to get involved in the lives of these particular students and their families. Collaborative approaches have been established with public and private schools, local communities and a higher education institution. This paper describes the utilization of the Model for Collaborative Evaluations (Rodriguez-Campos 2005, MCE) for after school programs. The MCE looks at six components that work together for all identified stakeholders. The MCE approach ensures that all parties will be involved and heard from the beginning to the end of the d after school project. |