I have very limited experience with program evaluations. I have not been involved in evaluation programs. I only once heard several teachers from our school discussing the evaluation report of the West Virginia Safe and Supportive Schools (S3) Project. The project supported targeted interventions in several schools in West Virginia to measure and improve the conditions of learning (Whisman, 2013). The conditions of learning referred to school climate, which includes norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices, and organizational structures (Whisman, 2013). The evaluation report conducted by the Department of Education used 4-point rubrics to evaluate different aspects of project implementation to come to a conclusion concerning the success of the project and provide further recommendations.
After reading the report compiled by Whisman (2013), I realized that there are several things I would like to learn about program evaluation. First, I want to learn how to develop criteria for a program’s success. Even though I understand that the criteria are based upon the goals and objectives of the program, it is unclear how to create an applicable rubric for evaluation of the results. Second, I want to learn about the methods for quantifying qualitative information. In other words, I want to be able to use numbers to compare the outcomes of the project to the standards. Finally, I find it crucial to learn to make relevant recommendations based on the findings of the evaluation. These skills will help me become a valuable human service practitioner.
References
Whisman, A. (2013). West Virginia Safe and Supportive Schools Project: Year 2 implementation evaluation report. West Virginia Department of Education. Web.