EPY 541 Prog Eval:Theor,Inst Dev,Eval

This is an intermediate-advanced course in program evaluation that is designed to support and extend knowledge, skills, and competencies developed in EPY 540 Introduction to Program Evaluation. This course is unique in that it merges three areas within program evaluation - theory, testing and measurement, and utilization and dissemination of evaluation findings. While these components are overviewed in EPY 540, this course works to integrate those theories with the design, development, and execution of an evaluation plan and its accompanying instruments. Students will be exposed to more in-depth work in creating complex evaluation strategies that utilize self-developed and pre-established measures, in addition to school accountability data and individual student school records. Particular attention will be paid to triangulation of quantitative and qualitative program data, issues surrounding testing and measurement, logic models, and systems change evaluation. This course will also emphasize methods as they relate to building the evaluator-client relationship and communication among stakeholders and program staff, as well as highlight theories for increased utilization and dissemination of program evaluation findings and sharing of knowledge. Prerequisite: EPY 500 or EDA 500. Spring. (3 credits)