7 Tips for Program Evaluation

1. Have a key question in mind. Whatever you most want answered is the topic to evaluate.
2. Figure out what you’ll need to get the question answered. Outline the types of data that could help you get to the bottom of this issue.
3. Design the data-collection tool. Make it something systematic and standardized, so the information you get is valid.
4. Collect the information. Administer your survey, focus groups, or interviews, or go about getting what you need from existing records.
5. Summarize your data. This may require entering findings in a spreadsheet or reviewing what people have said to zero in on recurring themes.
6. Analyze the findings. What does it mean that half of the surveyed students said they don’t like reading?
7. Report the results. Tell whomever you’ve determined needs to know what you’ve found and, where appropriate, get them involved in strategizing how to address the findings.

Special thanks to Paul Ahrens-Gray of Global Learning for suggesting this 7-step process for afterschool evaluation.