DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF EVALUATION DESIGNS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING PROGRAMS - THE COOK COUNTY (IL) MODEL

• NCJ Number: 53984
• Author(s): G J BENSINGER
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 33 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVALUATION WASHINGTON, DC, FEBRUARY 1977 - PANEL 19 EVALUATION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS

Annotation

THE PROCEDURE FOR DESIGNING, EVALUATING, AND IMPROVING TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL USED IN COOK COUNTY, ILL., IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

IN DEVELOPING THE TRAINING NEEDS FOR THE TOTAL SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN COOK COUNTY, THE FOLLOWING TRAINING AREAS WERE IDENTIFIED: CORRECTIONAL TRAINING, ADULT PROBATION TRAINING, COURT SERVICES TRAINING, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND SPECIAL SYSTEM INSTITUTES AND SEMINARS. THE TRAINING FORMAT DEVELOPED INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING NINE ELEMENTS: (1) ASSESSMENT OF TRAINING NEEDS; (2) RANKING TRAINING PRIORITIES; (3) SETTING GENERAL TRAINING OBJECTIVES; (4) SELECTION OF TRAINING DESIGN AND INSTRUCTORS; (5) SETTING INSTRUCTORS' TRAINING OBJECTIVES; (6) CONSTRUCTION OF EVALUATION INSTRUMENTS; (7) ADMINISTRATION OF INSTRUMENTS; (8) ANALYSIS OF DATA; AND (9) IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGE. THE NATURE OF EACH OF THESE ELEMENTS IS EXPLAINED. THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIS FORMAT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADULT PROBATION PRESERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED. THE EVALUATION INSTRUMENT WAS DESIGNED TO MEASURE THE QUALITY OF TRAINING AND ASSESS THE APPLICABILITY OF TRAINING TO PROBATION WORK IN THE COUNTY. SPECIFICALLY THE QUESTIONNAIRE PROVIDED DATA ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH TRAINING OBJECTIVES WERE MET IN AFFECTING ON-THE-JOB BEHAVIOR, THE DESIRED DIRECTION OF CHANGE ON GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, INSTRUCTOR EVALUATION, AND SUBJECTIVE FEEDBACK. RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION APPLIED TO THE PROBATION TRAINING COURSE ARE REPORTED. EVALUATION FINDINGS WERE REVIEWED FIRST BY THE PROJECT'S ADMINISTRATORS, COORDINATORS, AND THE PARTICULAR INSTRUCTORS OF THE PROGRAM. THE DATA WERE REVIEWED ALSO BY THE CHIEF ADULT PROBATION OFFICER AND HIS ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF. AFTER REVIEWING THE DATA SEPARATELY, THEY MET TO DISCUSS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHANGE AND IMPROVEMENT IN PROBATION TRAINING. THE MAJOR DECISION RESULTING FROM THE ANALYSIS OF THE EVALUATION FINDINGS WAS TO INCORPORATE ADDITIONAL PRACTICAL EXAMPLES OF ON-THE-JOB SITUATIONS TO MEET THE REQUEST OF TRAINEES FOR MORE HELP IN DEALING WITH THESE SITUATIONS. THIS PROCEDURE OFFERS A QUICK METHOD, USING FEW RESOURCES, FOR EVALUATING TRAINING WITH A VIEW TO IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONTENT AND FORMAT OF TRAINING SESSIONS. A SAMPLE OF THE EVALUATION INSTRUMENT IS PROVIDED, AND DATA FROM THE PARTICULAR EVALUATION DESCRIBED ARE REPORTED. A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY IS ALSO INCLUDED.