Program evaluation is an equal and powerful component in Conflict Resolution Education. It is a systematic method for collecting, analyzing, and using information to answer basic questions and to assess the worth of the program.
Program evaluations can reveal strengths and weaknesses and provide important feedback to the administrators and to the participants. It also provides guidance and standards regarding the effects of local variables and contexts. It describes the "best practices" of the program. Decision makers use program evaluation to answer questions regarding future allocation and the value of the program for the community.
Case Study
Mary Williams is the coordinator of her middle school’s
peer mediation program. She’s coordinated the program for the
past five years and has received some release time and a small budget
of about $3,000 per year for training and supplies. While the program
has seemed successful and well used, Mary has never had the time
or skill to conduct an evaluation to prove what the program is accomplishing.
Until this year she didn’t feel the need to do this because
the program’s continuation seemed certain. And, Mary felt her
time was better used keeping the program running than trying to evaluate
it. Yet, last week, Mary’s principal asked her in for a sobering
talk. The principal explained that the school is facing serious funding
cuts and they need to justify every dollar spent. She asked Mary
to give her a brief report about how students are using the peer
mediation program and how they are benefiting from it.
This is a common story. How can Mary best respond? Does she have any support for continuation? What can be learned from this example about the importance of program evaluation?
Since she has not been keeping records nor has been making comparisons of behaviors before and after programs, Mary needs to come up with a quick plan to gather data. Teachers and administrators know that program evaluation is necessary and expected part of developing a conflict management program; yet, they often don't do it. Evaluation may seem complicated and costly in terms of time and resources.
Purpose
Case Study