Practical Evaluation for Educators
Finding What Works and What Doesn't

Edited by:

Roger Kaufman - Florida State University-Emeritus, Roger Kaufman & Associates, Florida State University, USA
Ingrid Guerra - Wayne State University, USA
William A. Platt - Department of Veterans' Affairs

Other Titles in:
Administration & Leadership | Program Development & Evaluation | Superintendents & District Administration

July 2005 | 320 pages | Corwin

Most teachers try to avoid evaluation, but that's no longer an option in this age of accountability and school reform. However, evaluation doesn't need to be something that teachers fear. As the authors of this accessible resource guide so aptly show, evaluation can be done with a minimum of fuss and without an advanced degree in statistics and research methodology.

This user-friendly guide includes easy-to-understand examples, checklists, sample exercises, discussion questions and step-by-step guidance for educational evaluation. It also contains a case study that follows one school and educational authority through the evaluation process, showing what evaluation looks like and feels like in schools and districts. The authors provide a comprehensive set of concepts and guidelines for conducting evaluation studies. The book is results-centered and focused on proven concepts and methods.

The authors have developed a simple, four-step process to guide teachers through evaluation: alignment and direction; observations, results, and action and adjustment.

Preface

About the Authors

Part I: Alignment and Direction

1. Introduction

2. Fundamental Principles and Tools of Evaluation

3. Building Aligned Evaluation Criteria

Scenario 1: Supporting Anita

Part II: Observation

4. Identifying What Data Must Be Collected

5. Collecting the Data

Scenario 2: Finding Facts

Part III: Results

6. Analyzing and Interpreting the Data

7. Communicating Results and Recommendations to Stakeholders

Scenario 3: Working Knowledge

Part IV: Action and Adjustment

8. Evaluating for Continuous Improvement

9. Contracting for Evaluation Services

Scenario 4: Actions That Work

Bibliography

Index

"Puts evaluation in a framework of societal needs while simultaneously being results-oriented and practical. This is a unique combination of 'how-to' with 'why' that is of immense importance."

Elizabeth D. Capaldi, Vice Chancellor & Chief of Staff

State University of New York

"The book describes how to ask and answer the right questions in order to measure the gaps in results and their consequences. Readers will be able to tailor an evaluation plan to their specific situations. Practical examples and scenarios along with how-to guides show readers how to apply the concepts and tools presented."

James D. Russell, Professor and Visiting Research Associate

Educational Psychology and Learning Systems Institute, Florida State University

"As an evaluation book written for educators and education, this publication delivers on its promise. It provides a practical, professional, and comprehensive approach for planning and conducting evaluation studies that are meaningful and effective for understanding and improving the education enterprise."

Dale W. Lick, Professor of Education

Florida State University

"Roger Kaufman and his colleagues have produced what is simply the best practical book on educational evaluation published in the past few years. It is current, clear, and structured so that educators can apply it in a wide variety of educational contexts."

Richard Clark, Professor

University of Southern California

"Consistent with the very best in evaluation theory and practice. Clearly written, practical, and usable, this book should be used as the organizer for improvement efforts from a neighborhood school to a statewide improvement effort. I heartily recommend it to superintendents, principals, school boards, and concerned parents. If you could read only one book during the next decade about improving education, this is it."

Dale Brethower, Professor Emeritus

Western Michigan University

Did not meet course objectives

Dr Teresa Cowan

Health Sciences, Baker College Of Auburn Hills

February 12, 2016

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Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1: Introduction

A Short Assessment of Self-Evaluation

Roger Kaufman

Roger Kaufman is Professor Emeritus, Florida State University, and Director of Roger Kaufman & Associates. He is also Distinguished Research Professor at the Sonora Institute of Technology. His PhD is in communications from New York University. He consults with public and private organizations in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, and Europe. He is a Certified Performance Technologist and a Diplomate in School Psychology and a Fellow in Educational Psychology of the American Psychological Association. He has been recognized by the ASTD for Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning and Performance... More About Author

Ingrid J. Guerra-Lopez

Ingrid J. Guerra is an Assistant Professor at the Wayne State University. Previously, she was an assistant professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where she taught across two graduate programs, Performance Improvement & Instructional Design, and Public Administration. She is also a private consultant for private and public organizations nationally and internationally and a professional member of Roger Kaufman & Associates. She has served as Chair of Needs Assessment TIG for the American Evaluation Association and Chair of the Research Committee for the International Society for Performance Improvement. In addition, she... More About Author

William A. Platt

William A. Platt is currently a Principle Instructional Designer for Concurrent Technologies Corporation, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and was previously the Program Manager for Evaluation in the Office of Technical Training and Evaluation in the Veterans Benefits Administration. He is a member of the American Evaluation Association. He has consulted for the defense industry in the area of simulation and training and has presented professional papers on task analysis and instructional design. He was a Branch Head with the Naval Training Systems Center in charge of Land Warfare Training Analysis. His PhD is in Instructional Technology... More About Author

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