Program evaluation is a way of determining:
- the value of programs; and
- whether they have met their goals and objectives.
Program evaluation may answer some or all these questions:
- How was the program implemented?
- What were its results?
- What was successful?
- What were the challenges?
- What improvements should be made?
- Does the program provide a meaningful service to the people it was intended to help?
- Can all potential clients access the programs and their services? Are there any barriers?
Why is program evaluation important?
Program evaluation tells organizations:
- how well they've done; and
- whether they're achieving their objectives.
The Department of Education is most often interested in the impact of programs on:
- students;
- trainees; or
- foreign workers.
Program evaluation helps organizations manage programs and make good decisions.
It identifies:
- strengths and weaknesses; and
- often includes making recommendations that help to ensure programs stay on track.
It also makes programs more accountable because it tells organizations and funders:
- the results of the programs; and
- the impact they’re having, which can help to determine future funding.
Recommendations
The people who conduct program evaluations usually include recommendations in their evaluation reports. The department and the evaluated organizations consider those recommendations to decide which ones they’ll put in place. Not all recommendations are implemented. Considerations may include:
- rationale;
- feasibility, including capacity, cost and timing;
- priorities; and
- legal implications.
Program evaluation
The program evaluations below were conducted by or for the department. Independent 3rd parties made almost all these evaluations.
- Evaluation of the Yukon's Apprenticeship and Tradespersons Qualification Program, 2016
- Evaluation of the School of Visual Arts, 2014
- Labour market evaluations