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Learning from evaluations of school-family strengthening programs: Lessons for all

Guenther, John Ch. and Galbraith, Mal (2014). Learning from evaluations of school-family strengthening programs: Lessons for all. Evaluation Journal of Australasia,14(2):42-51.

Document type: Journal Article
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IRMA ID 84279116xPUB291
Title Learning from evaluations of school-family strengthening programs: Lessons for all
Author Guenther, John Ch.
Galbraith, Mal
Journal Name Evaluation Journal of Australasia
Publication Date 2014
Volume Number 14
Issue Number 2
ISSN 1035-719X   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Start Page 42
End Page 51
Total Pages 10
Place of Publication Australia
Publisher Australasian Evaluation Society
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DIISR)
Abstract For more than 10 years, a program called Families And Schools Together (FAST) has been run in schools across the Northern Territory. These programs have always had an evaluation component built in. However, over time, the evaluations have changed. Initially, they were summative, built around a quantitative psychometric tool (with a positivist research paradigm). The intent of the summative evaluation was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the program. However, as the program was rolled out in remote contexts, the need for adaptation was recognised. Changes were made, but it was soon recognised that other outcomes, not captured or explored in the methodology, were emerging. After six years of working together, the evaluator and the program manager felt that it was time to explore effectiveness in a different way with a more qualitative evaluation process (based on naturalistic and pragmatic paradigms). This article explores the six-year learning journey through evaluation that the evaluator and program manager have undertaken. It describes tensions between the need for reliable and generalisable objective quantitative data and the need for authentic and credible data based on participant experience.
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URL http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=749241590432426;res=IELBUS
 
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