Summative evaluation

Definition

Summative evaluation is a systematic process that assesses the outcomes and effectiveness of a program after its implementation to determine its overall impact. This type of evaluation provides valuable insights into the program's success in achieving its goals and helps inform decisions regarding future initiatives. It often involves analyzing data collected from various stakeholders and comparing results against predefined objectives or benchmarks.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Summative evaluation is typically conducted at the end of a program or project to assess its overall effectiveness and impact.
2. The results from summative evaluations are often used to make decisions about future funding, scaling up, or modifying programs based on their success.
3. Data for summative evaluations can be collected through various methods, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and analysis of existing records.
4. Summative evaluations provide essential accountability to stakeholders by demonstrating how well a program met its objectives and served its intended audience.
5. This type of evaluation helps identify best practices and lessons learned that can guide the design and implementation of future programs.

Review Questions

• How does summative evaluation differ from formative evaluation in assessing program effectiveness?
  • Summative evaluation occurs at the end of a program to assess its overall effectiveness and outcomes, whereas formative evaluation takes place during the program's development and implementation. Formative evaluation focuses on providing ongoing feedback that allows for real-time adjustments to improve the program before final outcomes are measured. Both evaluations are crucial for understanding different aspects of a program's performance but serve distinct purposes in the evaluation process.
• In what ways can summative evaluation contribute to the decision-making process regarding future programs?
  • Summative evaluation provides critical data that informs decision-making by revealing how well a program achieved its objectives. The insights gained from this evaluation help stakeholders determine whether to continue, expand, or modify a program based on its measured effectiveness. Additionally, it identifies best practices that can be applied to future initiatives, ultimately guiding resource allocation and strategic planning.
• Evaluate the role of summative evaluation in ensuring accountability to stakeholders within nonprofit organizations.
  • Summative evaluation plays a vital role in ensuring accountability to stakeholders by providing evidence of a program's impact and effectiveness. By demonstrating how well the program met its goals, organizations can build trust with funders, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders. This transparency not only supports continued funding but also fosters community support and engagement. Furthermore, summative evaluations help nonprofits articulate their successes and challenges, enabling them to share lessons learned with peers and improve future programming.

Related terms

formative evaluation: Formative evaluation focuses on ongoing feedback during the program's development and implementation, allowing for adjustments and improvements before final outcomes are assessed.

impact assessment: Impact assessment measures the long-term effects of a program on its target population and environment, evaluating both intended and unintended consequences.

program logic model: A program logic model is a visual representation that outlines the relationships between a program's resources, activities, outputs, and intended outcomes, helping to clarify goals and evaluation metrics.