Program Evaluation in Practice

Dean T. Spaulding is a professional evaluator and also serves on the faculty at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York in the Department of Educational Psychology, where he teaches educational research methodology and program evaluation. He is a coauthor of Methods in Educational Research: From Theory to Practice from Jossey-Bass.

• List of Tables, Figures, Exhibits, and Boxes xiiiPreface xviiAcknowledgments xxiThe Author xxiiiPart One: Introduction 1Chapter One: Foundations of Program Evaluation 3What is Program Evaluation? 5Internal and External Evaluators 11How to Use This Book 13The Evaluation Objective 15Designing and Developing an Evaluation Matrix 19Data Collection 20Triangulation of Data 31Writing the Evaluation Report 31Dissemination and Use of Evaluation Findings 35Summary 37Key Concepts 38Discussion Questions 38Class Activities 39Suggested Reading 39Chapter Two: Ethics in Program Evaluation and an Overview of Evaluation Approaches 41Ethics in Program Evaluation 41What is an Evaluation Approach? 43Objectives-Based Approach 44Decision-Based Approach 47Participatory Approach 50Consumer-Oriented Approach 55Expertise-Oriented Approach 55Eclectic Approach 56Summary 56Key Concepts 57Discussion Questions 57Class Activities 58Suggested Reading 58Chapter Three: In-depth Look at the Objectives-based Approach to Evaluation 59Objectives-Based Approach 59How to Use Evaluation Objectives 64Summary 66Key Concepts 67Discussion Questions 67Class Activities 67Suggested Reading 67Part Two: Case Studies 69Chapter Four: Improving Student Performance in Mathematics Through Inquiry-based Instruction 71The Evaluator 71The Program 76The Evaluation Plan 78Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 81Final Thoughts 86Key Concepts 86Discussion Questions 87Class Activities 87Suggested Reading 88Chapter Five: Evaluation of a Community-based Mentor Program 89The Evaluator 89The Program 91The Evaluation Plan 92Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 97Final Thoughts 97Key Concepts 97Discussion Questions 98Class Activities 98Suggested Reading 99Chapter Six: Teacher Candidates Integrating Technology into their Student Teaching Experience 101The Evaluators 101The Program 102The Evaluation Plan 102Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 108Final Thoughts 108Key Concepts 108Discussion Questions 108Class Activities 109Suggested Reading 110Chapter Seven: Evaluation of a Professional Development Technology Project in a Low-performing School District 111The Evaluator 111The Program 112The Evaluation Plan 113Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 116Final Thoughts 117Key Concepts 117Discussion Questions 117Class Activities 118Suggested Reading 119Chapter Eight: Expansion of a High School Science Program 121The Evaluators 121The Program 122The Evaluation Plan 122Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 124Final Thoughts 126Key Concepts 126Discussion Questions 126Class Activities 127Suggested Reading 127Chapter Nine: Evaluation of a Proven Practice for Reading Achievement 129The Evaluators 129The Program 130The Evaluation Plan 131Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 131Final Thoughts 133Key Concepts 133Discussion Questions 133Class Activities 134Suggested Reading 135Chapter Ten: Project Plan for Evaluation of a Statewide After-school Initiative 137The Evaluator 137The Program 138The Evaluation Plan 140Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 143Final Thoughts 144Key Concepts 144Discussion Questions 145Class Activities 145Suggested Reading 145Chapter Eleven: Evaluation of a Training Program in Mathematics for Teachers 147The Evaluators 147The Program 148The Evaluation Plan 149Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 151Final Thoughts 154Key Concepts 155Discussion Questions 155Class Activities 156Suggested Reading 156Chapter Twelve: An Evaluator-in-Training’s Work on a School Advocacy Program 159The Evaluator 159The Program 160The Evaluation Plan 162Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 162Final Thoughts 168Key Concepts 168Discussion Questions 168Class Activities 169Suggested Reading 170Chapter Thirteen: Evaluation of a School Improvement Grant to Increase Parent Involvement 171The Evaluators 171The Program 171The Evaluation Plan 172Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 176Final Thoughts 177Key Concepts 178Discussion Questions 178Class Activities 178Suggested Reading 179Chapter Fourteen: Evaluating the Impact of a New Teacher Training Program 181The Evaluators 181The Program 182The Evaluation Plan 182Summary of Evaluation Activities and Findings 185Final Thoughts 185Key Concepts 186Discussion Questions 186Class Activities 186Suggested Reading 186References 187Index 189