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Figure 1
Steps to Evaluating Your program
- Getting Started (Sharing What We Do)
- Define Features and Evidence (Putting the Pieces Together)
- Gather Information (Using an EPE Model)
- Identify What It Means (Making Connections)
- Take Action (Making Connections)
- Review and Revise (Revise, Report Results)
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It is agreed that evaluation should begin with Step 1, with each step
following in order. Nevertheless, the steps are inter-related, because in what
questions and issues to address, it is necessary to think ahead to include
planning for what the findings may mean for your program and what action you are
prepared to take.
Sometimes it is necessary to work backwards as well. For example, it is
common to go back and rethink what information you will really need and
what your major priorities are. Or as you get more specific in your plan, you
may realize that you should involve people you did not identify at first.
As the circular nature of the above diagram suggests, evaluation of
your program and use of the standards is not a one-time event. Improving
the quality of literacy programs should be ongoing. Think of evaluation as a
tool which enables you to step back every so often in order to think about the
impact of what you are doing (OTAB, 1995, p. 6).
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