about the program

Throughout almost every education and social service program, the question arises: How are things going? Sometimes it is asked by those running the program, sometimes by the people who are funding it.

The search for answers often leads to WestEd's Evaluation Research (ER) Program. ER performs dozens of analyses each year, including evaluation studies, program design and policy formation, and professional development and training. Staff scrutinize programs involving everything from national school reform to community-based social services, including elementary and secondary education; curriculum and instruction; higher education; organizational change; school reform; community development; social services; and research methodology.

These evaluations lead to better understanding of whether a program is effective, whether a policy is having the desired impact, whether a chosen approach is the most cost-effective way of accomplishing agreed-upon goals, how an effort can be improved, and whether an initiative should be continued.

ER's current work includes:

• CollegeEd Evaluation
• Longitudinal Assessment of Comprehensive School Reform Implementation and Outcomes
  
• California Academic Partnership Program
       Curriculum Projects
       Standards Implementation
       Institutionalization Study