Whether program evaluation is elaborate or streamlined, people representing the involved groups, such as schools, teachers, tutors, and others should be included as evaluation plans are made. First, those closest to the activities may propose ideas that may be missed. Second, they can raise questions regarding practicality. Third, recipients of evaluation reports are more likely to have confidence in the findings when they have participated in the procedures. A major reason for conducting program evaluation is to learn how the program can be improved.
Evaluation can be an excellent tool for change when there is involvement.
As evaluations from across the nation are shared, there will be useful information that can inform all of us. With over 973 institutions participating, we will be able to make some generalizations that will be helpful for future program development and evaluation. Opening program evaluation to a range of devices and designs best suited to the size, setting, and goals of each program can result in our being able to get independent verifications that a uniform evaluation system imposed on dissimilar programs will not yield. As results are published, shared in conferences, on the Internet, or in other ways, we will learn a great deal from each other. The National Service Resource Center's Library Catalog , September 1996, has thirty evaluation guides, kits and manuals available for circulation.