Evaluation in Action : Interviews with Expert Evaluators

by Jody Fitzpatrick

• ISBN13: 9781412949743
• ISBN10: 1412949742
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-07-29
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Evaluation in Action: Interviews With Expert Evaluators is the first book to go behind the scenes of real evaluations to explore the issues faced-and the decisions made-by notable evaluators in the field. Drawing from the popular 'œExemplars' section in the American Journal of Evaluation (AJE), the book's twelve interviews with evaluators illustrate a variety of evaluation practices in different settings and include commentary and analysis on what the interviews teach about evaluation practice.Praise for Evaluation in Action'œEvaluation in Action: Interviews With Expert Evaluators is a 'œmust' read for those who want to know how evaluations really take place.' -Marvin C. Alkin, University of California, Los Angeles"This book offers a rare opportunity to glimpse the assumptions, values, logic, and reasoning behind evaluator choices. It models the reflection required of good practice. The interviews are accessible and engaging, like being invited to a conversation over coffee-a tribute to the power of storytelling. They drew me in and made me want to join the discussion and ask even more questions. The section on cultural competence in evaluation is a particularly significant contribution to the knowledge base of our field.                                                                  -Karen Kirkhart, Syracuse University, former President of American Evaluation Association'œThis book is unique in the breadth of evaluation types and settings covered and the interview format provides a personal, in-depth picture of the evaluator's thinking. I'm excited about using it with my students.' -Katye M. Perry, Oklahoma State University, former Chair of the Topical Interest Group on Teaching of EvaluationThis book fills a major gap in evaluation literature. In addition to the cases, the introductory chapter is a masterful distillation of key issues in evaluation, while the last two chapters provide a concise analysis of the interaction of evaluation theory and practice. -Leslie Cooksy, University of Delaware"A fresh and insightful glimpse into the deliberations and choices made by practicing evaluators. The questions asked of the evaluators are right on target and give students of evaluation, whether they are in the classroom or on the job, solid guidance on navigating around the dilemmas that arise when dealing with stakeholders and with sticky ethical challenges. This text fills a need in training evaluators not met by current textboooks." -Kathryn E. Newcomer, George Washington University 

Table of Contents

Preface

Evaluation and Its Practice: Some Key Considerations and Choices

Traditional Evaluations with a Primary purpose of Judging Merit and Worth

The Evaluation of GAIN: A Welfare-to-Work Program in California, An Interview with James A. Riccio

Evaluation of the Natural Resources Leadership Program, 1995 through 1998, An Interview with Jennifer C. Greene

The Evaluation of the Ft. Bragg and Stark County Systems of Care for Children and Adolescents, An Interview with Len Bickman

Evaluations with a Focus on Description

The Evaluation of the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP), An Interview with David Fetterman

The Evaluation of the Homeless Families Program, An Interview with Debra J. Rog

The Council for School Performance: Performance Reports for Georgia Schools, An Interview with Gary T. Henry

Evaluations with an Emphasis on Program Planning and Organizational Development

Evaluation of the Special Education Program at the Anoka-Hennepin School District, An Interview with Jean A. King

Evaluation of the Work and Health Initiative with a Focus on Winning New Jobs, An Interview with Stewart I. Donaldson

Developing an Evaluation System for the Corporate Education Development and Training (CEDT) Department at Sandia National Laboratories, An Interview with Hallie Preskill

Evaluation of the Colorado Healthy Communities Initiative, An Interview with Ross Conner

Evaluations Concerning Cultural Competence

Evaluation of the Fun with Books Program, An Interview with Katrina Bledsoe

Evaluation of Godfrey?s Children Center in Tanzania, An Interview with Allan Wallis and Victor Dukay

Analysis, Interpretations, and Conclusions

Exemplars? Choices: What Do These Cases Tell Us About Practice?

Analyzing the Practice of Evaluation: What Do these Cases Tell Us About Theory?

Other Categories for the Interviews

About the Authors

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