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Performance Measurement Litmos Courses

1) How to use the AmeriCorps performance measure instructions 

Description: This tutorial will be helpful for award recipients and applicants that 

are considering or are required to use the AmeriCorps national performance 

measures. The AmeriCorps national performance measure instructions provide 

key definitions and guidelines for collecting data and calculating the measure. This 

tutorial explains what the instructions are and how to use them; why the 

instructions are important to follow; when to use them; and where to find them.

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The following courses are the Performance Measurement Core Curriculum series. It is 

recommended that you take the courses in the sequence they are offered.

1) Overview of Performance Measurement 

Description: This self-paced module is the first in a series on performance 

measurement, and provides a general overview. This module will help you 

understand performance measurement in the context of AmeriCorps

programming, and how it can be useful in program management. You will also 

understand how AmeriCorps approaches performance measurement; and how 

performance measures will be used to tell the National Service story. This module 

was created by AmeriCorps.

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2) Designing Effective Action for Change 

 

Description: A well-conceived Theory of Change helps identify the pathway 

linking your service activities to your intended outcome, clarifying the cause-andeffect relationship at the heart of your program. This module is designed to give 

you an overview of Theory of Change. By the end of the module, you will 

understand the three elements needed to construct a Theory of Change and how 

it informs the program design. This module was created by AmeriCorps.

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3) Building Evidence of Effectiveness 

Description: The term “evidence-based intervention” describes service activities 

that are supported by research to indicate a high likelihood that the intervention 

will address the need and result in intended outcomes. This module provides 

detailed information on evidence and how using evidence can help you select an 

effective intervention. You will understand what evidence is, where to find strong 

evidence, and how to use evidence to tell you which intervention is likely to work 

for your situation. This module was created by AmeriCorps.

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4) High Quality Performance Measurement 

Description: This self-paced tutorial is the fourth module in a series on 

performance measurement, and addresses performance measurement concepts 

and practices. This module will help you understand how to strengthen your 

performance measures including the importance of checking alignment of the 

elements of the theory of change, alignment of the output and outcome, and the 

key criteria necessary to ensure that your outcome is both meaningful and 

realistic. This module was created by AmeriCorps.

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5) Collecting High Quality Outcome Data, Part 1 

Description: This self-paced tutorial is the fifth module in a series on performance 

measurement, and provides information on collecting high-quality data to measure 

program results. This module will help you recognize the benefits of collecting 

high-quality data, use your theory of change to think about measurement, identify 

and evaluate the merits of various data sources and instruments, and understand 

appropriate uses for common data collection methods. This module was created 

by AmeriCorps.

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6) Collecting High Quality Outcome Data, Part 2 

 

Description: This self-paced module is the sixth in a series on performance 

measurement, and provides information on the steps to implement data collection, 

(including developing a data collection schedule, training data collectors, and pilot 

testing instruments). You will also learn how to recognize data quality as it relates 

to reliability, validity and minimizing sources of bias. This module was created by 

AmeriCorps.

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