Developmental Evaluation for Education Programs: Bridging Gaps Between Planning and Practice

• In Event: Research on Evaluation Design, Process, and Outcome

Abstract

We research how developmental evaluation (DE) (Patton, 2006; 2011) may be useful for education programs in development. Unlike traditional summative or formative models of evaluation, DE is useful in cases in programs seeking innovation and/or where project clarification and refinement is needed. Using our case of a statewide program funded by the U.S. Department of Education for increasing school capacity to serve students with disabilities (SwDs) and English language learners (ELLs), we study how developmental evaluation may shape cohesive programs from aspirational grant designs that do not have clear outcomes to evaluate. We study how a developmental evaluation approach has worked in a complex, statewide professional development program.

Authors

• Rachael Lawrence, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• Sharon F. Rallis, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• Laura Davis, Massachusetts Public Charter Schools Association

• Megan Grant, University of Massachusetts - Amherst