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Process Evaluation for Program Improvement: Lessons From the Interns for Indiana Program
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| Presenter(s):
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| Omolola A Adedokun, Purdue University, oadedok@purdue.edu
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| Loran Carleton Parker, Purdue University, carleton@purdue.edu
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| Wilella Burgess, Purdue University, wburgess@purdue.edu
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| Abstract:
Participant perceptions of the extent to which program outcomes are achieved are undoubtedly a popular focus of both formative and summative program evaluations. However, the effects of participants’ characteristics and contextual variables on program perceptions are less explored in formative evaluation studies where the resulting feedback can be used for program improvement. The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how the empirical feedback from such investigations can be used to improve program implementation and the general understanding of program processes. Data for the study is from the formative evaluation of the Interns for Indiana (IfI) program, a multi-site entrepreneurial internship program designed to increase interns’ desire to work in their home state after graduation by providing them with opportunities for experiential learning in small/startup companies. Multivariate linear regression analysis was employed to examine the effects of demographic and contextual variables on participants’ perceptions of program outcomes.
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Ensuring Program Quality: Lessons Learned From Implementation Evaluation of the Kentucky Alternative Certification in Special Education (KACSE) Program
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| Presenter(s):
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| Imelda Castañeda-Emenaker, University of Cincinnati, castania@ucmail.uc.edu
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| Norma Wheat, Campbellsville University, nrwheat@campbellsville.edu
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| Abstract:
This presentation highlights the role of implementation evaluation in assisting the program manager of the alternative certification program to make informed decisions about the program directions. The changes in the economic situations around the school districts participating in the program posed challenges in the program’s targeted goals, which threatened the program’s major funding. Implementation evaluation and formative feedback helped the program manager in improving its programming and in being proactive to avert the negative effects of delaying placements of certified teachers with the economically-challenged school districts. Implementation evaluation provided the rationale for the program changes made and helped ensure appropriate program accountability, without jeopardizing the program status with its funder.
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Evaluation Synergy: A Multi-purpose Evaluation Design for Fundraising, Applied Learning, and Community Service
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| Presenter(s):
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| Nancy Rogers, University of Cincinnati, nancy.rogers@uc.edu
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| Jennifer Williams, University of Cincinnati, jennifer.williams@healthall.com
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| Brian Powell, University of Cincinnati, powellbb@mail.uc.edu
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| Abstract:
Most non-profit programs recognize the value of evaluation, but more often they do not have the resources to finance an evaluation. Expanding the use of evaluation to more than simply providing program feedback or outcome data could prove advantageous to small programs on a limited budget. One small violence intervention program leveraged the resources of a local university to involve students in service learning, increased community awareness, and applied learning, all while evaluating fundraising materials and raising money for the program. The presenters will share how they crafted a meaningful collaboration using social psychological research to develop and evaluate several fundraising appeals while providing an applied educational experience that resulted in multiple wins.
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The Use of Evaluation in Agricultural Policy Making: The Case of Mexico
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| Presenter(s):
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| Alfredo Gonzalez Cambero, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, agonzalez@fao-evaluacion.org.mx
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| Salomon Salcedo Baca, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, salomon.salcedo@fao.org
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| Abstract:
Within the framework of international technical cooperation, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has conducted evaluations for the Mexican Government for a period of more than ten years. Although many evaluations have been carried out in the field of agricultural policy evaluation, little use has been made of the results. While both FAO and the Mexican Government have intended to use evaluation to advance their common objectives of rural development, the evaluations themselves have been used to serve business as usual, rather than to improve the programs through the implementation of findings or to better understand the conceptual underpinnings of the programs.
The paper looks into building a virtuous circle of quality-use of the evaluation, identifying factors within the evaluation process itself, as well as institutional constraints, in order to make better use of the evaluation as a valuable tool for policy making.
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