Using Multi-Site Core Evaluation to Provide “Scientific” Evidence

Abstract

Funders of educational and other social service programs are requiring more experimental and performance-oriented designs in evaluations of program effectiveness. Concomitantly, funders are exhibiting less interest in evaluations that serve other purposes, such as implementation fidelity. However, in order to fully understand the effectiveness of most complex social and educational programs, an evaluation must provide diverse information. This article uses the Core Evaluation of the Collaboratives for Excellence in Teacher Preparation Program as a case example of how evaluations might meet the requirements of objective scientific evaluation while at the same time valuing and incorporating other evaluation purposes. The successes and limitations of the case example in achieving this blending are discussed.