Review: Introduction Define Evaluation How do formal/informal evaluation differ? What are two uses of evaluation in education? What are the pros/cons of using an external evaluator?

Alternative Approaches to Evaluation Dr. Suzan Ayers Western Michigan University (courtesy of Dr. Mary Schutten)

Alternative Approaches Stakeholders: individuals and groups who have a direct interest in, and may be affected by, evaluation; should be involved early, actively & continuously Program: activities that are provided on a continuing basis; typically what is evaluated There are a variety of alternative, often conflicting, views of what evaluation is and how it should be carried out

Why so many alternatives? The way one views evaluation directly impacts the type of activities/methods used Origins of alternative models stem from differences in: Philosophical & ideological beliefs Methodological preferences Practical choices

Philosophical & Ideological Beliefs Epistemologies (philosophies of knowing) Objectivism (social science base of empiricism; replicate) Subjectivism (experientially-based; tacit knowledge) Pros/Cons of each? Principles for assigning value (parallel obj/subj) Utilitarian: focus on group gains (avg scores); greatest good for the greatest number Intuitionist-pluralist: value is individually-determined Room for both or are these dichotomous? Philosophical purists are rare (impractical?) Choose the methods right for THAT evaluation Understand assumptions/limitations of different approaches

Methodological Preferences Quantitative (numerical) Qualitative (non-numerical) Evaluation is a transdiscipline; crosses paradigms “Law of the instrument” fallacy With hammer/nails, all appears to need hammering Identify what is useful in each evaluation approach, use it wisely & avoid being distracted by approaches designed to deal w/ different needs

Practical Considerations Evaluators disagree whether/not intent of evaluation is to render a value judgment Decision-makers or evaluator render judgment? Evaluators differ in views of evaluation’s political role Authority? Responsibility? These dictate eval style Influence of evaluators’ prior experience Who should conduct the evaluation and nature of expertise needed to do so Desirability (?) of having a wide variety of evaluation approaches

Classification Schema for Evaluation Approaches Conceptual approaches to evaluation, NOT techniques Objectives-oriented: focus on goals/objectives & degree to which they are achieved Management-oriented: identifying and meeting informational needs of decision makers Consumer-oriented: generate information to guide product/service use by consumers Expertise-oriented: use of professional expertise to judge quality of evaluation object Participant-oriented: stakeholders centrally involved in process See figure 3.1 (p. 68)

Objectives-oriented Approach Purposes of some activity are specified and then evaluation focuses on the extent to which these purposes are achieved Ralph W. Tyler popularized this approach in education (criterion ref test) Tylerian models Metfessel & Michael’s paradigm (enlarged vision of alternative instruments to collect evaluation data) Provus’s Discrepancy Evaluation Model (agree on stds, det if discrepancy exists btwn perf/std, use discrepancy info to decide to improve, maintain, terminate program) Logic models Determine long-term outcomes & backtrack to today

Objectives-oriented Steps Establish broad goals or objectives tied to mission statement Classify the goals or objectives Define objectives in behavioral terms Find situations where achievement of objectives can be shown Select/develop measurement techniques Collect performance data Compare data with behaviorally stated objectives

Objectives-oriented Pros/Cons Strengths: simplicity, easy to understand, follow and implement; produces information relevant to the mission Weakness: can lead to tunnel vision Ignores outcomes not covered by objectives Neglects the value of the objectives themselves Neglects the context in which evaluation takes place

REVIEW/Qs Why are there so many alternative approaches to evaluation? What conceptual approach to evaluation did we discuss tonight? What is its +/-? Why do you think the NASPE STARS program has been considered this type of evaluation? Identify your most likely evaluation object