Outcomes Problem Concern over poorly performing public services is growing.
People believe that our public systems, including education and social services, are failing.
A common response is to demand more regulation. We assume that rules will promote effective programs by guarding our resources and interests. This focus on control leads us to measure success by how well the rules were followed. Current program evaluations measure such things as attendance or the number of services an agency offers, rather than evaluating any changes in client status. For example, a local health clinic may claim that it now serves more children, but that does not necessarily mean that more children are healthier.