Discussion Question 2

Types of Program Evaluation

There are many types of policy and program evaluations. There are variations in terminology, but the major types of evaluation typically involve the following: a) determining the need and requirement for a program; b) assessing whether a program is working the way it is supposed to work; and c) the impact of the program on the larger environment, both short and long term. For this Discussion, review this week’s Learning Resources and select a case involving physical infrastructure or economic development.

Post a brief description of the project and explain the type of evaluation employed in the case. Explain whether this was a needs assessment, formative, process, or summative (impact) evaluation and why. Describe the type of data used and whether comparisons were employed.

Readings

• Langbein, L. (2012). Public program evaluation: A statistical guide (2nd ed.). Armonk, NY: ME Sharpe.
  • Chapter 1, “What This Book Is About” (pp. 3–20)
• McDavid, J. C., Huse, I., & Hawthorn, L. R. L. (2013). Program evaluation and performance measurement: An introduction to practice (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Chapter 1, “Key Concepts and Issues in Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement” (pp. 1–40)
  • Chapter 6, “Needs Assessments for Program Development and Adjustment” (pp. 225–266)
• Wall, J. E. (n.d.). Program evaluation model 9-step process. Retrieved March 8, 2016, from http://region11s4.lacoe.edu/attachments/article/34/%287%29%209%20Step%20Evaluation%20Model%20Paper.pdf
• Justice Center: The Council of State Governments. (2012). Mentoring gang-involved youth: How Roca, Inc. combines mentoring and services in a high-risk intervention model. Retrieved from http://csgjusticecenter.org/nrrc/posts/mentoring-gang-involved-youth-how-roca-inc-combines-mentoring-and-services-in-a-high-risk-intervention-model/
• Justice Center: The Council of State Governments. (2014). Second Chance Act. Retrieved from http://csgjusticecenter.org/nrrc/projects/second-chance-act/