Program evaluation

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Let's take a closer look. I also attached an informative chart of program evaluations and assessment tools used in early childhood programs.

RESPONSE:

8. You are working for an early childhood program that has not been evaluated. Your supervisor, knowing that you are studying research methods, asks you if you believe that the program should be evaluated. Indicate to the supervisor the objectives of program evaluations.

PROGRAM EVALUATION is a systematic process of clearly articulating the services and desired outcomes (e.g. written as behavioral objective), of an intervention or program. It is "a systematic method for collecting, analyzing, and using information to answer basic questions about a program" (http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends-2007_10_01_RB_WhyProgEval.pdf).

Specifically, the objectives of program evaluation are:

? To determine the quality and effectiveness of the program over time. The data tied to the program goals, which is collected using various assessment tools (see attached chart) document the quality and effectiveness of the program over time. (http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/goodstart/assess-eval2.html )
? Program evaluation is a valuable tool for program managers who are seeking to strengthen the quality of their programs and improve outcomes for the children and youth they serve.
? Program evaluation answers basic questions about a program's effectiveness, and evaluation data can be used to improve program services. 9http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends-2007_10_01_RB_WhyProgEval.pdf)

In fact, program evaluation can incorporate many methods of data collection, such as child assessment, observations of practice, measures of the environment, and surveys or interviews of teachers or parents. (http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/goodstart/assess-eval2.html)

9. When you finish ...