NCJ Number
54863
Date Published
1977
Length
101 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF THE STATE-OF-THE-ART OF PROGRAM EVALUATION IS MADE FOR THE SIX STATES IN REGION EIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE. EVALUATION PROCEDURES BEING USED, STAFFING, AND NEEDS ARE DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
THE SIX STATES (COLORADO, WYOMING, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND UTAH) INCLUDE FOUR WITH THE SMALLEST POPULATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS FOUND THAT THERE IS A STRONG RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POPULATION, EVALUATION RESOURCES, AND EVALUATION AS PART OF THE PLANNING PROCESS; NONE HAVE SEPARATE EVALUATION PERSONNEL. THIS STUDY EXAMINED EACH STATE'S DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS, THE UMBRELLA AGENCY GENERALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALTH, EDUCATION, OR WELFARE PROGRAMS, THE RELATIONSHIP OF THIS ORGANIZATION TO THOSE DOING THE EVALUATION, TOOLS AVAILABLE, THE AUDIENCE FOR EVALUATION RESULTS, AND NEEDS EXPRESSED BY PERSONNEL SURVEYED. TABLES PRESENT STATISTICAL FINDINGS. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS, PLANNERS, AND EVALUATORS ALL ASKED FOR HELP IN ESTABLISHING METHODOLOGIES OF EVALUATION, IN SETTING MEANINGFUL CRITERIA, IN IMPROVING THE FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF THEIR EVALUATIONS, AND IN MAKING EFFECTIVE USE OF THEIR EXPENDITURES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT FEDERAL EVALUATION GUIDELINES BE MORE SPECIFIC, THAT WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES FOCUS ON THE PROBLEMS FACED BY LOCAL AGENCIES, AND THAT THERE BE AN ONGOING SHARING OF EVALUATION EFFORTS AND TECHNOLOGY. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE THE INFORMAL INTERVIEW GUIDES IN THIS STUDY, AN INVENTORY OF SURVEYED PROGRAMS, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND A LISTING OF STATE RESOURCE MATERIALS RECEIVED IN THE COURSE OF THIS STUDY. (GLR)