Evaluation Capacity Building
SERVE Center assists districts and schools, non-profits, and other community organizations in developing the capacity (i.e., their organizational wherewithal), to plan and conduct evaluations of their projects and programs. Using a model designed to provide a forum where project leaders can work together in developing the knowledge, acquiring the skills, adopting the attitudes, and using the resources that help them evaluate their projects or program. Teams who participate in SERVE’s professional development over time build their capacity for evaluation as they learn how to:
- Develop and share a common understanding of the purpose(s) of their project;
- Illustrate how their project works (i.e., the connections between the project’s activities and the desired outcomes);
- Ask pertinent questions about the implementation and impact of project activities;
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data that help answer the questions;
- Share evaluation findings with stakeholders; and
- Use the findings to make informed decisions for improving the project.
Because various agencies and organizations have varying needs and interests for project evaluation, SERVE has developed a framework to work collaboratively with project teams to help them identify their needs and assist them in increasing their evaluation skills.
For more information, or to inquire about our evaluation capacity building services, contact Beth Thrift or Karla Lewis.