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

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.

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
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. Dr. Kaufman has published 39 books and more than 256 articles on strategic planning, performance improvement, quality management and continuous improvement, needs assessment, management, and evaluation. 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 has published articles in journals such as International Public Management Review, International Journal for Educational Reform, Performance Improvement Quarterly, Performance Improvement Journal, Human Resource Development Quarterly, Educational Technology, and Quarterly Review of Distance Education, among others. Ingrid received her PhD and MA in Instructional Systems and her bachelor’s in Psychology from the Florida State University. 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 from Indiana University. He served as member of the Adjunct Faculty at the Marine Corps Service Support Schools and has served as a training advisor for Marine Corps training commands. He retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Review :
"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." "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." "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." "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." "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."