Evaluation Approaches: A Focus on Improving Early Childhood Title I Programs

Prepared as part of a United Stated Education Department project on evaluation in early childhood Title I (ECT-I) programs, this is one of a series of resource books developed in response to concerns expressed by state and local personnel about early childhood Title I programs. By considering: (1) who will use the evaluation results; (2) what kinds of information are users likely to find most helpful; (3) in what ways might this information aid in program improvement; and (4) are the potential benefits substantial enough to justify the cost and effort of evaluation. The purpose is not to be a comprehensive technical manual, but rather to help local school personnel identify issues that might merit further examination and to guide the choice of suitable evaluation strategies to address those issues. From the initial program review methods, citing the human resource requirement and procedures for conducting self-study and outside review, the document outlines quantative methods (such as structured process evaluation, product evaluation and process-product evaluation) and qualitative methods (investigative evaluation, ethnographic evaluation, and documentation) and lists reasons to choose a method and outlines how to implement the plan. The underlying theme would have the reader use this as a springboard for beginning evaluation. (CE)