|
Evaluation Strategies for Educational Career Pathway Programs: Targeting Underrepresented High-Performing Youth
|
| Presenter(s):
|
| Sandra Eames, St Edward's University, seames@austin.rr.com
|
| Fred Estrello, St Edward's University, alfrede@stedwards.edu
|
| Abstract:
In the age of teacher accountability, school report cards, and No Child Left Behind, evaluation becomes a piece of the puzzle that assists in shining light on a program’s effectiveness through the use of data proven efforts. The purpose of this evaluation study was five fold: accountability, improvements, understanding, and dissemination of effective services for target beneficiaries as well as empowering the program for better sustainability/transportability, the ultimate goal being to increase the access to higher education for underrepresented populations. The evaluation of Project Jumpstart operated at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas was designed as a utilization-focused approach to examine the effectiveness of a teacher recruitment program in attracting high-performing underrepresented high school students from the Austin Independent School District to earn a college degree with teacher certification at St. Edward’s University through an innovative 2+2+2 pathway in career and technical education.
|
|
Evaluation of Summer Enrichment Programs as a Gateway for Low-Income Students to Experience and Choose College
|
| Presenter(s):
|
| Mehmet Öztürk, Arizona State University, ozturk@asu.edu
|
| Brian Garbarini, Arizona State University, brian.garbarini@asu.edu
|
| Kerry Lawton, Arizona State University, klawton@asu.edu
|
| Abstract:
This paper will demonstrate the importance of embedded evaluation in summer enrichment programs and illustrate methods that may be used to provide quality evaluations of summer enrichment programs. For this purpose, the methodology for an ongoing evaluation of ASYouth will be presented. ASYouth is a program developed to provide an overall support system so that needy and deserving kids may participate in summer activities. The goal of the ASYouth evaluation has been to increase (1) the understanding the relationship between parental and child knowledge and understanding of college (2) awareness of perceptions low income children have towards college, and (3) exploration of how children’ college and related perceptions may change upon completion of a university-based summer enrichment program. Given that the knowledge base regarding quality evaluation of summer programs is limited, a discussion of evaluation design in this area will be greatly appreciated by evaluation researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers.
|
| |