Foun 8100

Program Evaluation

Meeting Time: 4:00 – 7:00 Wednesdays

Room: Haley

Instructor: Margaret E. Ross

4018 Haley Center

(334) 844-3084

rossma1@.auburn.edu (the first 1 = one)

Office Hours: 3:00 – 4:00 Tuesdays, 3:00 - 4:00 Wednesdays, or by appointment

Goal of the Course

This course is designed to provide students with a knowledge base and skills to conduct program evaluations. The course will focus on program evaluation theories, tools, and procedures. Program evaluation projects will be discussed in relation to goals/objectives, planning, implementation, data collection, data analysis, and reporting and students will apply these skills through in-class activities and assignments.

Course Objectives

Students will:

· Gain an understanding of program evaluation roles, objectives, and methods and distinguish program evaluation from other research.

· Acquire knowledge of program evaluation theories.

· Apply knowledge of program evaluation theories through discussion and planning evaluations.

· Apply knowledge of data gathering, analysis and interpretation.

· Gain knowledge of how to present evaluation process, progress, and outcomes in oral and written formats.

Learning Methods

Lectures, discussions, readings, class exercises and lab assignments.

Required Text

Worthen, B. R. and Sanders, J. R. (19??). Educational Evaluation: Alternative Approaches and Practical Guidelines. New York: Longman.

Recommended Resource

Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (any recent edition). Washington D.C., American Psychological Association.

Student Assessment

· Quizzes and/or homework assignments 10%

· Attendance and Participation in Class Discussions and Projects 20%

(instructor's judgment and peer evaluations)

· In-Class Small Group Assignments 30%

· Individual Program Evaluation Plan 35%

· Presentation of Program Evaluation Plans 05%

* Grading rubrics and discussion of expectations will be provided for the individual program evaluation plans.

Grading Scale

A: 90 – 100%

B: 80 – 89%

C: 70 – 79%

D: 60 – 69%

F: below 60%

Late Assignments Policy

· Assignments turned in late will receive a 3% reduction in earned points per day. The only exception will be in the case of emergency.

· All work must be typed or it will not be graded. Late penalty will be applied to work completed in writing and then turned in late in typed format for a grade.

Attendance Policy

Attendance will not be taken. However, those arriving late will be noted and students are responsible for the class content. Thus, you must make arrangements with a classmate to get materials and class notes if you must miss a class. I plan to start lectures no later than 5 minutes after the hour.

Incompletes and Withdrawals

Grades associated with incomplete course work or withdrawal from class will be assigned in strict conformity to University policy (see Auburn University Bulletin). If you wish to drop this course you may do so by the 10th class day with no grade assignment. From the 10th class day to mid-quarter a W (withdrawn-passing) grade will be recorded in your transcripts. After this period withdrawal from the course will only be granted under unusual circumstances and must be approved by the Dean of the College of Education.

Academic Misconduct

The Department of EFLT recognizes university policy regarding academic misconduct. Violations include, but are not limited to: plagiarism, unauthorized assistance during examinations, submitting another’s work product as your own, using another’s words as your own without appropriate citation, sharing unauthorized materials with another that contain questions or answers to examinations, altering or attempting to alter assigned grades. In accordance with University policy regarding academic misconduct, students may be subject to several sanctions upon violations of the Student Academic Honesty Code. See the Tiger Cub publication for the current year for specifics regarding academic misconduct as well as student’s rights and responsibilities associated with the Code.

Disability Accommodations

Students who need accommodations are asked to arrange a meeting with me as soon as possible. If you have a conflict with my office hours, an alternate time can be arranged. To set up this meeting, please contact me by e-mail. Bring a copy of your Accommodation Memo and an Instructor Verification Form to the meeting. If you do not have an Accommodation Memo but need accommodations, make an appointment with The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, 844-2096.

Tentative Schedule

Week 1 (8/21/02)

Introduction to the Course

Defining Program Evaluation (Chapter 1)

Week 2 (8/28/02)

Evaluation Roles and Goals (Chapter 1)

The Evaluation Context (Chapter 13)

Identifying and Selecting Evaluation Questions, Criteria, and Issues (Chapter 14)

Week 3 (9/4/02)

Views of Evaluation (Chapter 4)

Week 4 (9/10/02)

Objectives-Oriented Evaluation Approaches (Chapter 5)

Week 5 (9/17/02)

Management-Oriented Evaluation Approaches (Chapter 6)

Week 6 (9/24/02)

Consumer-Oriented Evaluation Approaches (Chapter 7)

Week 7 (10/1/02)

Expertise-Oriented Evaluation Approaches (Chapter 8)

Week 8 (10/8/03)

Advisory-Oriented Evaluation Approaches (Chapter 9)

Week 9 (10/15/02)

Naturalistic and Participant-Oriented Evaluation Approaches (Chapter 10)

Week 10 (10/22/02)

Planning the Evaluation (Chapter 15)

Week 11 (10/29/02)

Information Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation (Chapters 18, 19)

Week 12 (11/5/02)

Information Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation continued (Chapters 18, 19)

Week 13 (11/12/02)

Reporting Evaluation Information (Chapter 20)

Week 14 (11/19/02)

Ethics (Chapter 19)

Multiple-Site Evaluations (Chapter 21)

Working Session and Peer Reviews of Individual Evaluation Plans

Thanksgiving Break

Week 15 (to be discussed)

Individual Evaluation Plans Due

Roundtable Sessions