“Making Educational and Social Systems Work for All”

-- UO College of Education Mission Statement

 

PROGRAM EVALUATION FOR EDUCATIONAL MANAGERS I

 

EDLD 681  – 4 Credits – CRN 42628

University of Oregon – College of Education - Educational Leadership Area

 

2006 SUMMER Term Syllabus

Meeting Days/Time: Monday-Thursday 2:00-3:50 pm (1400-1550)

Location:  TBA

 

Instructor:  Joseph Stevens, Ph.D.

Phone:

(541) 346-2445

Fax:

(541) 346-5174

e-mail:

stevensj@uoregon.edu

Web:

http://www.uoregon.edu/~stevensj

Address:

170 D Education Bldg

5267 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-5267

Office Hours:

Wednesdays 2:00-4:00 or by appointment

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

EDLD 681 is an introductory course in evaluation research methods. The course addresses fundamental concepts and issues in program evaluation.  Program evaluation is an essential component of public and private programs and is one of the most influential forces in the development and revision of public policy. The goal of this course will be to develop an understanding of program evaluation philosophy, methods, applications, and standards. Emphasis is on mastering concepts, methods, and procedures and their application to issues in educational settings.  The theme in the winter term is the evaluation of personnel in organizations (e.g., teacher and faculty evaluation).  The theme in the spring term (EDLD 682) will be the evaluation of programs and organizations (e.g., school effectiveness and NCLB, outcomes assessment in higher education).  In both quarters, however, we will consider examples of program evaluation across a broad variety of disciplines and settings. Students who successfully complete the course will be better consumers and producers of program evaluation research and reports. The course seeks to develop and improve students’ ability to plan, conceptualize, design, analyze, report and communicate in a program evaluation context.

 

TEXTBOOKS & READING MATERIALS

           

TITLE

 

AUTHOR

PUBLISHER
 & PUB. DATE

Evaluation: A Systematic Approach (7th Ed.)

Required

Rossi, Lipsey, & Freeman

Sage, 2004

Selected Readings (course packet available from UO bookstore)

Required

Various

Various

Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation (2nd Ed.)

Optional

Wholey, Hatry, & Newcomer

Jossey-Bass, 2004

The Program Evaluation Standards (2nd Ed.)

Optional

Sanders

Sage, 1994

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.)

Optional

American Psychological Association

Author, 2001

 

 

COURSE STRUCTURE

EDLD 681, Program Evaluation I, is organized in a seminar format. The major activities consist of a combination of lectures and group discussions. Lectures will allow the instructor to introduce and explain technical material. Discussions will elaborate readings, field observations, and other aspects of programs being discussed.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

There will be no traditional quizzes or exams.  Weekly reaction papers and a final critique paper are required.

 

Reaction Papers:  In weeks 3-9 a reaction paper will be required for each week’s central reading.  Each student is required to produce a type-written, 1-2 page reaction paper to the assigned course reading. The reaction paper will detail student reactions, comments, and questions in response to the assigned reading.  For complete credit, students will need to turn in their response to the assigned reading during the class meeting in which the reading is to be discussed. Reaction papers will be scored on a credit/no credit basis.

 

Critique Paper:  Each student is required to submit a type-written critique of the design of a published evaluation research study. Students will locate a published evaluation research study to critique.  A copy of the study and an outline of the paper will be due on February 21st.  The critique will cover an analysis of the evaluation report in terms of research design, methods, procedures, and reporting. The critique paper is due on March 14th.

 

Additional procedures and grading rubrics for the reaction papers and critique paper will be provided in class.

 

Late work will be penalized a minimum of 10% after the due date.  Work is due at the beginning of the class on the due date.

 

Each student is responsible for submitting his/her own original work.  Any instance of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism) will result in a minimum of a score of zero for the assignment.

 

GRADING POLICY

Final grade for this course will be determined based on 1) class participation, discussion, and engagement 20%; 2) reaction papers 45%; and 3) the critique paper 35%.

 

Final letter grades for the course will be calculated as follows:

 

A+

97-100%

 

A

93-96%

 

A-

90-92%

B+

87-89%

 

B

83-86%

 

B-

80-82%

C+

77-79%

 

C

73-76.9%

 

  F  

< 73%

Please note that if this class is taken P/NP,
80% or higher is required to pass the class.

 

COURSE INCOMPLETES will be offered only very rarely and in unusual circumstances that truly prevent the student from completing course work during the regular quarter schedule.  Please see http://interact.uoregon.edu/pdf/sas/AIncGrdCon.pdf for university policy and procedure on incompletes. 

 

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS (schedule may change depending on our pace)

 

WEEK

TOPIC / ASSIGNMENT

READ BEFORE CLASS

 

  1   Jan. 10

Introduction

Overview of Evaluation Research

 

  2   Jan. 17

 

 

  3   Jan. 24

 

 

  4   Jan. 31

 

 

  5   Feb. 7

 

 

  6   Feb.14

 

 

  7   Feb. 21

Critique paper outline due

 

  8   Feb. 28

 

 

  9   Mar. 7

 

 

10   Mar. 14

Critique Papers Due

 

11   Mar. 21

Group Discussion: Critique Papers

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance is required to succeed in this course and master the course material.  If a student does miss class, it is the student’s responsibility to get class notes, and handouts or other distributed materials. contact the instructor in case of illness or emergencies that preclude taking quizzes as scheduled or attending class sessions.  Messages can be left on the instructor's voice mail or e-mail at any time of the day or night, prior to class.  If no prior arrangements have been made before class time, the absence will be unexcused.

 

If you are unable to take a quiz or exam due to a personal and/or family emergency, you should contact your instructor or discussion leader as soon as possible.  On a case-by-case basis, the instructor will determine whether the emergency qualifies as an excused absence.

 

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT POLICY

All students are subject to the regulations stipulated in the UO Student Conduct Code (http://www.uoregon.edu/~conduct/).  This code represents a compilation of important regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to student life.  It is intended to inform students of their rights and responsibilities during their association with this institution, and to provide general guidance for enforcing those regulations and policies essential to the educational and research missions of the University.

 

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

The mission of the College of Education is to “Make educational and social systems work for all.” Several options, both informal and formal are available to resolve conflicts for students who believe they have been subjected to or have witnessed bias, unfairness or other improper treatment.  Within the College of Education, you can contact:  Bill Young, COE Ombudsperson at 346-1401 or wdyoung@uoreogon.edu or http://education.uoregon.edu/ombuds

 

Outside the College, you can contact:

UO Bias Response Team:  346-1139 or http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~brt/

UO Conflict Resolution Services 346-0617 or http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~crs/

UO Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity   346-3123 or http://aaeo.uoregon.edu/

 

DIVERSITY

It is the policy of the University of Oregon to support and value diversity.  To do so requires that we:

·         respect the dignity and essential worth of all individuals.

·         promote a culture of respect throughout the University community.

·         respect the privacy, property, and freedom of others.

·         reject bigotry, discrimination, violence, or intimidation of any kind.

·         practice personal and academic integrity and expect it from others.

·         promote the diversity of opinions, ideas and backgrounds which is the lifeblood of the university.

 

DOCUMENTED DISABILITY

Appropriate accommodations will be provided for students with documented disabilities.  If you have a documented disability and require accommodation, arrange to meet with the course instructor within the first two weeks of the term.  The documentation of your disability must come in writing from the Disability Services in the Office of Academic Advising and Student Services.  Disabilities may include (but are not limited to) neurological impairment, orthopedic impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment, chronic medical conditions, emotional/psychological disabilities, hearing impairment, and learning disabilities. For more information on Disability Services, please see http://ds.uoregon.edu/

 

EXPECTED CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

Classroom expectations include:

q       Participating in class activities

q       Respecting the diversity of cultures, opinions, viewpoints in the classroom

q       Listening to fellow students, professors, and lecturers with respect

q       Arriving on time, prepared for class

q       Attending for the duration of class; not reading other materials, books, newspapers

q       Turn off cell phones an other electronic devices

 

Racist, homophobic, sexist, and other disrespectful comments will not be tolerated.

 

GRIEVANCE

A student or group of students of the College of Education may appeal decisions or actions pertaining to admissions, programs, evaluation of performance and program retention and completion.  Students who decide to file a grievance should follow the student grievance procedure, or alternative ways to file a grievance outlined in the Student Grievance Policy (http://education.uoregon.edu/feature.htm?id=399) or enter search: student grievance.

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event the university operates on a curtailed schedule or closes, UO media relations will notify the Eugene-Springfield area radio and television stations as quickly as possible.  In addition, a notice regarding the university’s schedule will be posted on the UO main homepage (in the “News” section) at http://www.uoregon.edu.  College of Education students should contact their program department for further information.