A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

National Evaluation of The Even Start Family Literacy Program, 1998

Chapter 4

What Are Projects' Evaluation Activities and Plans for Continuation After the Current Grant Expires?

The Even Start legislation requires each local project to arrange for a local evaluation of the project by an independent evaluator. Given the diversity of program design and service delivery approaches, each project is best suited to assess its implementation progress and effectiveness in relation to its specific program goals. Local evaluations produce information that is directly applicable to ongoing efforts in project improvement.

Ninety-six percent of the 592 projects that submitted data to the national evaluation in 1996-97 reported conducting local evaluations. As was the case in the previous three years, nearly all local evaluations reported including an assessment of: participant growth in child and adult literacy and in parenting skills (93 percent); status of implementing their proposed program components (95 percent); detailed descriptions of their participants, program services, and interagency collaborations (94 percent); and assessments of the quality of the educational and support services they provide (91 percent). Fewer projects (69 percent) evaluated the quality of their staff training and development.

Eighty-eight percent of Even Start projects planned to continue their programs after their current grant expires (see top of Exhibit 4.13). Among projects that were in their first four years of Even Start grant and thus eligible to apply for another four-year grant, 90 percent planned to continue providing family literacy services after the current Even Start grant expires. Ninety percent of this group planned to apply for another federal Even Start grant.

Among projects with five or more years of Even Start experience and not eligible for federal Even Start funds after eight years, 82 percent planned to continue services after the current federal grant expires. Of this group, 72 percent indicated plans to reapply for federal Even Start funds. This would be possible if they apply to implement a demonstration project that is substantially different (in target population, program design, etc.) from their current program.

Across all projects that planned to continue services after the completion of their current grants, 38 percent planned to seek funds from various combinations of local sources, foundations, corporations, and other organizations in addition to federal Even Start grants; however, 15 percent expected to do so without federal Even Start funds.

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[ What Are Projects' Technical Assistance Needs? ]

[ Chapter 5: What Services Do Even Start Projects Provide to Participants? ]