(7/16) - The take home final exam is now posted.  It is due in my mailbox or a single email attachment not later than 5:00 PM on Thursday July 24th. 

(7/16) - Your final research design is due in my mailbox or as a single email attachment no later than 5:00 PM on Wednesday July 23rd. 

(6/16) - Our next regular class is 7/16 and class will begin at 5:00 PM.  Our discussing will focus on the readings pertaining to evaluation in practice with special attention given to the ethical and practical considerations associated with conducting program evaluations.  We will also watch the film Miss Evers Boys and discuss the case memo on the Tuskegee Experiment (readings are on Blackboard).  Your RCR training certificate is also due (follow the directions in the syllabus). 

(6/4) - Next week (6/11), we will begin class at 1:00 and will be discussing the readings on performance measurement.  This includes the topics of needs assessment and monitoring program performance.  Most of our discussion will focus on operationalizing and measuring variables and other topics related to data collection (e.g., sampling).  Your project memos summarizing the important elements of your research design are due.  Your critique of a program evaluation is also due (email the class the link to the report).  You should be prepared to give a short informal presentation of both assignments in class.  We will also watch a film called Kitchen Stories that focuses on the challenge of collecting data in the real world. 

(5/30) - Next week (6/4), we begin class at 1:00 and will be discussing the readings on Measuring Outcomes and Detecting Effects and the readings on Randomized and Alternative research designs.  Your media critiques are also due (email the class the link to the article) and be prepared to give a short overview of the article and your critique (these will be informal and I'll just go around the table)

(5/21) - Next week (5/28), we will begin class at 1:00.  We will continue discussing the readings on Tailoring Evaluation and then discuss the readings on Program Theory.  Be sure to familiarize yourself with the evaluation of Head Start and the readings on D.A.R.E., which are contained in blackboard.  We will spend most of the class time working on this exercise on D.A.R.E. so be sure you come prepared to discuss the questions in Part 1 and II based on the readings.  You should also bring a rough draft with your ideas for a logic model and be prepared to share it with your classmates.  We will spend much of the time working in groups and you should bring a laptop if you have one because each group will be constructing a logic model to share with the other groups.  

(5/16) - Welcome to PLS 506 - Program Evaluation!  Class begins on Wednesday May 21st at 5:00 PM in LH 254A.  I will periodically post reminders and announcements on this website so you should check this webpage frequently.  Reserve readings for each course topic can be accessed through Blackboard.  Additional materials related to each topic can be found on the corresponding topics page located on this website. 

(5/16) - Our first class will discuss the readings associated with tailoring evaluations.  Be prepared to discuss the readings in the two required text books and take a look at some of the handouts contained on the topics page.  In particular, be sure you have read the essay about why science matters and why it is a way of life from the NY Times (6/1/08) and familiarize yourself with the debate about the controversy surrounding the MMR link and the false belief that it causes autism. 

(5/16) The syllabus for this summer class can be downloaded for printing by clicking here for the PDF version (MS word version has working hyperlinks).  Be sure to bring your own copy of the syllabus to the first class.  Please disregard the syllabus and course schedule that can be found on this website (they correspond to the regular format of this course).  Instead, consult the summer syllabus which contains a different schedule of topics, readings, and assignments and a modified description of the course requirements than is found on this website.  However, students should consult the course topics when doing the readings since they contain a variety of supplemental materials.  Students should also review the web pages for that correspond to each of the course assignments because they contain additional guidance for completing each assignment. 

(5/16) - Since this class involves a lot of professional writing and presentations to develop your communication skills, I have added several sets of readings to help with these assignments on blackboard.  You are expected to submit all documents in both a hard copy at the start of class.  They should be typed and be professional in appearance.  Be sure to follow an appropriate style guide.  This website also provides useful style guidelines (Click here).