Here are some suggestions that can help you when choosing outcomes:
- Ensure that all stakeholders have input into defining outcomes.
Gather ideas and feedback from a variety of sources. One of the most
important
sources of information is learners, both current and
former. After all, we are trying to identify how our programs and
services have impacted
their lives, so who better to ask than the learners
themselves? You can gather this information through interviews, informal
discussions
or surveys.
- Start with outcomes that have an immediate, direct
impact on the students. For example, you could evaluate
how students are using their new reading skills to
read to their children, or how
they use their enhanced numeracy skills for budgeting.
Once you are comfortable doing that, you can move on
to broader or “bigger” outcomes,
but for now, let ’s stick with what’s manageable!
- Familiarize yourself with outcomes-based evaluation
terminology. It is easy to mix up outcomes and indicators,
but they are distinct concepts.
- Only collect data that you will use, and be sure
to use the data you collect. Think about how you are
going to use the data
for program evaluation BEFORE you start collecting
it. Otherwise, you are doing extra work for nothing.
- Consider the key issues facing your program. Are
you most concerned about program delivery right now,
or are administrative issues a priority? Are you faced
with declining enrollment
so evaluating
your marketing campaign is important? Your answer to
these questions will help you decide if you want to
undertake a more comprehensive overall
agency evaluation or if you want to focus on evaluating
program delivery.
- Review existing program materials including your
mission statement and funding applications. This can
help you identify potential
results of your services.
- Talk with program staff and volunteers who work directly
with students. Ask them to tell you what they think
the program does well and not so well. Ask them what
aspects of the program
they feel
are the most important and what aren’t so important. And ask
them what they think helps students the most and what doesn’t
help them much.
- Talk with students. A good place to start is by reviewing
training plans, goals and learning outcomes. Ask
students how they have benefited from the program and
how they think they will continue to
benefit. Talk to former students and ask them the
same questions.
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