Keynote Address:

Don Klinger

The Friendly Face of Evaluation

While Assessment For Learning and Assessment Of Learning have recently become operating principles in student learning and assessment, these principles have been part of the discipline of Program Evaluation since Michael Scriven first introduced the terms Summative and Formative Evaluation in the 1960's. Yet even Michael Scriven likely did not foresee the changes and directions of Program Evaluation today. While the purpose of program evaluation still focuses on the systematic collection of data about a program in order to make judgments and improve the program, the roles of evaluators and those seeking evaluations have become much more interwoven. Increasingly, the evaluator is an advisor or partner, collaborating with the program users to determine the how best to make a program effective. Of course, this leads to the introduction, "I am an evaluator and I am here to help."

Presenters:

Program Evaluation in Schools: Experiences and Lesson Learned

It is becoming increasingly important for schools to demonstrate clear evidence of the effectiveness of their strategies and interventions. This presentation will focus on one school district's experience with conducting program evaluation in schools. The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board's Evidence-Based Education and Services Team (E-BEST) includes program evaluation as one of their core services to schools and the system. A description of some of the work that has been completed, the successes and challenges faced, and implications for practice will be described. Examples of how to build capacity around program evaluation at the school and system level will also be addressed.

Trish Woehrle

Tracy Weaver

Sid Ali

Using Program Evaluation to Introduce Performance Measurement: Building System Capacity

The Peel District School Board has a long history of conducting program evaluation in school settings. But in 2004, program evaluation was used to introduce a system of performance measurement for accountability purposes. Many enablers were in place to help build the system's capacity to understand and use performance measurement data.

Get with the Program (Evaluation)

Jeff Cole and Chris Conley will get you started on the journey of building capacity for program evaluation in your school district. Together they will present a grounded theoretical framework, adapted from the Canadian Evaluation Society's Essential Skills Series, to guide the conduct of program evaluation in school districts, and interact with the group to apply this framework to familiar situations and initiatives within K-12 education.

Jeff Cole

Chris Conley