Outcome Based Analysis

OUTCOME BASED (OBE) PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION

It is easy to be overwhelmed in the initial planning stages of program evaluation with trying to narrow down what method will be the best fit based upon the evaluator’s and program’s needs. One effective method of choosing which evaluation model to use would be to begin at the end. Much like a teacher planning a lesson for students, they design around the objectives, or the expected goals to be reached, upon completion. An educational evaluator must critically examine and research what the stakeholders of the program are wanting to learn from the evaluation and upon completion of their needs analysis, the evaluator should have a better understanding of what model would support their desired

It focuses on the examining of the achievement of the desired results of the program as well as the impact it has upon its participants. Outcome Based Evaluation is heavily grounded in measuring the effects or results of the program, rather than inputs or processes, and the outcomes may be related to a target or achievement (Stufflebeam, Madaus, Kellaghan, and Thomas, 2000). The Outcome Based Evaluation centers on the outcomes of the program either upon the completion of the program or after the program has been in place for a significant amount of time. Outcome Based Evaluation has become an extremely relevant method because the emphasis of many educational evaluations is on outcomes that are direct results of the programs. Investigating if the program has made a difference and how have the lives of the participants become better as a result of the program can sum up the focus of Outcome Based

Some of the programs may be wide reaching, serving large populations and some may be localized, serving a small demographic. Whether the program is large or small in scope, if it is not being effective, there is no perceived need for the program to exist. That is why educational program evaluation is essential to the field of education. Education exists to improve or transform the lives of individuals and educational program evaluation exists to ensure that best practices are being followed and the outcomes are impactful. Evaluations be designed and implemented using a vast number of models, methods, and approaches, but the evaluator must take into careful consideration the program’s needs and desired results to conduct an impactful and valid evaluation. This process in-turn increases program effectiveness by identifying strengths and weaknesses and all areas of education