2003 Campus-Community Partnerships

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Program Evaluation with Non-Profit Partners

Abstract:

This service-learning project responds to an identified community need for assistance with program evaluation. Ten UCLA undergraduates and ten staff members from non-profit agencies serving children, youth and families will take a new Honors course on "Program Evaluation" during Spring quarter. The course will be taught by the UCLA faculty and staff, covering the theory of program evaluation, methodologies and the use of technology. Pairs of students and agency staff will go to the staff member's home agency, and complete a program evaluation study.

We will have an "evaluation of the evaluation" by community partners, giving feedback on the quality and relevance of the study. Web-based tutorials, design tips and completed projects will be posted on UCLA websites. A framework for program evaluation will be created, which displays areas of analysis for the projects. This project will accomplish three goals: producing a practical piece of research that builds the capacity of community partners; leaving behind a staff member who can conduct further program evaluation studies; creating new career opportunities for undergraduate students.