Evaluating Grant-Funded Programs
Overview
Evaluation of Grant-Funded Programs. What? Why? How? Who? When?
-
What are grant-funded programs?
-
Why is evaluation of grant-funded programs important?
-
How do I avoid grant-funded program evaluation mistakes?
-
How do I conduct high quality grant-funded program evaluations?
-
Who should I have do my grant-funded program evaluations?
What is a grant-funded program?
Grant-funded programs are funded by non-repayable "gift aid." The "gift aid" is typically provided by federal agencies, state agencies, foundations, etc. Examples include:
-
Title 1, Part A - Improving Basic Programs.
-
Title 2, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction.
-
Title 4, Part A - Student Support and Academic Enrichment.
-
Title 4, Part B - 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
-
IDEA - (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Grants.
-
Early Childhood Grants.
-
Innovative Approaches to Literacy Grants.
-
STEM Education Grants.
-
Charter School Grants.
-
Fund for Teachers Grants.
-
Other Grant-Funded Programs.
Why is evaluation of grant-funded programs important?
Better grant-funded programs may lead to better educational outcomes. This includes better:
-
Standardized test scores.
-
Attendance & engagement.
-
Graduation rates.
-
Student behavior.
-
College & career outcomes.
-
Climate & culture.
-
Parent satisfaction.
-
Teacher satisfaction & retention.
-
Other outcomes.
How do I avoid grant-funded program evaluation mistakes & problems?
Do NOT rely too heavily on any of the following when evaluating grant-funded programs.
-
Your intuitions and hunches.
-
Quick, data dashboard analyses by people who are NOT trained in educational research.
-
The assumption that staff buy-in & implementation will happen without significant effort.
-
One-size-fits-all grant-funded program evaluations.
How do I conduct quality grant-funded program evaluations?
-
Use your intuition, but support your intuition with data whenever possible.
-
Have an objective third party help you evaluate & improve grant-funded programs.
-
Use a team of evaluators with expertise in all relevant research & evaluation areas.
-
Allocate appropriate resources to evaluating & improving grant-funded programs.
-
Avoid cookie cutter evaluation approaches that may not work well for your unique schools.
Who should I work with to evaluate grant funded programs?
-
We recommend working with Sprelp - Program Evaluation and Data Help for Schools.
-
Sprelp staff have training from Yale University and other top universities.
-
Sprelp staff have decades of experience helping Chicago Public Schools and other districts.
-
Sprelp staff have won awards for their program evaluation and data use work.
-
Sprelp staff have been invited to speak at the AASA National Conference on Education.
-
Sprelp staff can help you evaluate & improve grant-funded programs now (and not have regrets later).
Schedule a Brief Meeting Now!
Get your questions answered & learn quick & easy ways to start.