Evaluate Education for Decisions

Start with the decision, not the questionnaire

Evaluation is systematic collection and analysis of evidence to support a decision about an education plan. Name the primary users, the choice they face, the evaluation questions, and when evidence must be available. Formative evaluation asks whether a proposed or developing approach is feasible, appropriate, acceptable, understandable, and usable before full implementation. Summative evaluation judges the implemented plan's merit, results, or value after a defined period. Formative and summative describe purpose and timing, not a unique data method. Interviews, observations, surveys, tests, and records can serve either purpose. Evaluation should be planned with the intervention so baseline measures and comparison opportunities are not lost.