Program Evaluation Essay

“The most fundamental form of program evaluation is an examination of the program itself—its activities, the population it services, how it functions, and the condition of its participants” (Posavac and Carey, 2007, p. 131). Posavac and Carey provide a succinct and clear description of what program monitoring is within program evaluation and it is no surprise that it is key to a broader scope program evaluation design. Formative or process evaluation is program monitoring. The primary purpose of the process evaluation is to examine if the processes for a program are accomplishing the goals established for the program (Posavac and Carey, 2007). A summative or outcome evaluation may include some examination of the processes for a program; however, this type of evaluation is intended to provide a confirmation of which goals for the program were achieved or not. Summative evaluation is about a taking a more extensive look at a program and wouldn’t occur on a regular basis. Due to the more narrow aspect of a formative or process evaluation, it could …show more content…
The library has conducted targeted surveys about student room use, new furniture, or website navigation. Each of these contribute to the knowledge and understanding of how processes are working to support program outcomes. As Posavac and Carey indicate, the most threatening evaluation is performance evaluation of staff and should be approached carefully (2007). Staff performance evaluation is approached very separately from program monitoring in the library. If program related goals were set for an individual that would be an understood and approved performance measure; however, staff should not be surprised with performance measures attached to processes that have no direct relationship to the individual. There are many benefits to program monitoring and it should be integrated appropriately on a regular