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EDEF 850
Program Evaluation

1. Catalog Entry

EDEF 850
Program Evaluation

Credit hours (3)
Prerequisite: This class is offered for students accepted into the Doctoral Program in Education.

This course provides doctoral students with foundational skills and knowledge associated with the evaluation of educational programs. Skills are applied in the analysis of case studies representing situations common to educational researchers and evaluators.

2. Detailed Description of Course

The content of the course will specifically address the following concepts:
• Research versus evaluation
• Common types of program evaluation
    o Need
    o Process
    o Outcome
    o Efficiency
• Common evaluation methods
    o Quantitative
    o Qualitative
    o Mixed-Method
• Common evaluation models
    o Goal-oriented
    o Logic Model
    o Decision-oriented
    o Transactional
    o Expert Opinion
    o Evaluation Research
    o Goal-Free
    o Adversary
    o CSE Model
    o Naturalistic
• Data-collection in program evaluations
• Ethical issues associated with program evaluations
• Writing and interpreting evaluation reports

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This online course begins with an examination of different program evaluation reports in light of the specific evaluation needs addressed by each report. Strengths and limitations of the different reports are investigated and discussed. Selections from program evaluation texts are read and discussed. The second half of the course focuses on applying program evaluation design concepts to real-world education scenarios. Each student will examine a needs assessment for a specific educational problem and review planned interventions that address identified problems. Students will then develop an appropriate program evaluation proposal to meet the needs of the educational experience.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

Upon successful completion of course requirements, students will:
• Compare and contrast typical education research with typical program evaluation endeavors
• Identify and describe the fundamental characteristics of the following types of program evaluations: need, process, outcome, efficiency.
• Given a program evaluation report abstract or executive summary, determine the type of evaluation conducted: need, process, outcome, efficiency.
• Identify and describe the fundamental characteristics of the following methods of program evaluations: quantitative, qualitative, mixed method.
• Given a program evaluation report, determine the method of evaluation conducted: quantitative, qualitative, mixed method.
• Identify and describe the fundamental characteristics of the following models of program evaluations: goal-oriented, logic model, decision-oriented, transactional, expert opinion, evaluation research, goal- free, adversary, CSE model, naturalistic.
• Given a program evaluation report, determine which of the following model(s) of evaluation were conducted: goal-oriented, logic model, decision-oriented, transactional, expert opinion, evaluation research, goal-free, adversary, CSE model, naturalistic.
• Conduct a needs assessment for a specific evaluation project and determine the most effective type of program evaluation to be implemented.
• Design a program evaluation to meet the needs of a specific placed-based educational initiative.
• Identify and describe relevant ethical considerations and violations inherent in specific program evaluation experiences.
• Employ strategies to minimize ethical violations in specific program evaluation experiences.
• Design appropriate data collection instruments to meet the needs of specific program evaluation experiences.

5. Assessment Measures

Course assessments may include, but are not limited to, the following instruments/experiences: written exams, course reading reflections and analyses, case studies, and program evaluation proposal.

6. Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

May 2017