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Unit of study_

EDPA5013: Program Evaluation

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Students undertaking the designated area of Educational Management and Leadership are expected to be able to implement policies and programs designed to bring about organisational change. There are numerous forms of program evaluation available to the evaluator. Selecting the appropriate form for the appropriate purpose is the key to success. This unit is designed to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to enable students to design, plan and implement an evaluation program and to provide an understanding of five major forms of program evaluation, their purposes, and their associated approaches.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDPA5013
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rachel Wilson, rachel.wilson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Oral presentation
Details on CANVAS
20% Multiple weeks 3 minute individual class presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Evaluation report critique
n/a
50% Week 08 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Evaluation plan
n/a
30% Week 13 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  • Oral presentation: Select a program/policy/intervention and develop a program evaluation logic model for it. Each student will introduce a program that is of interest to them and present a program theory logic model that outlines the intent behind the program. The logic models will describe the program in terms of assumptions, inputs, activties, outputs and proposed outcomes and impact. Presentations should be about 2-3 minutes and a maximum of 3 powerpoint slides are permitted.
  • Evaluation report critique: You will be provided with two evaluation reports to compare and critique. To critique the papers you should draw on the principles and methods of evaluation outlined in this unit; and also on a range of literature and resources that relate to methodological approaches to evaluation studies.
  • Evaluation plan: Prepare an outline of a program evaluation for an educational policy or program in your area of interest, incorporating any feedback from your logic model presentation.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to evaluation Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Understanding programs and program logic Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Types of evaluation and evaluation questions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Program logic and evaluation logic frameworks: tools and examples Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Student oral presentations 1 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Student oral presentations 2 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Managing and reporting evaluation Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Writing a program evaluation proposal -Evaluation strategy and design Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Accessing and collecting data 1 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Accessing and collecting data 2 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Analysis for evaluation: quantitative and qualitative Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Debates in contemporary evaluation Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The key text for this unit is:

  •  Owen, John M., and Rogers, Patricia J. (1999) Program Evaluation Forms and Approaches . [New ed.]. London: SAGE, 1999. Print.

This text is availble electronically in the university library. 

Other readings are listed on the CANVAS site. 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand what is involved in program evaluation
  • LO2. understand the variety of purposes of program evaluations
  • LO3. explain and critique various approaches to program evaluation
  • LO4. analyse and develop a logic models for a program design and evaluation
  • LO5. utilise skills in evaluation management, design, data collection, analysis and reporting to plan an evaluation of a program
  • LO6. apply understanding evaluation in constructively critiquing published evaluation reports.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student feedback this unit has strong integration of assessments into weekly classes

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.