Program Evaluation
Program evaluation is the systematic study of whether a government program works, for whom, and at what cost. It includes studies done while a program runs, to improve it, and studies done afterward, to judge it. Agencies, outside researchers, auditors, and Congress commission evaluations and use them to shape decisions.
People usually ask what separates formative from summative evaluation, how logic models and theories of change describe a plan, and how policy analysis differs from evaluation. They also ask how pilots are tested before being expanded and how governments learn from each other.
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All Articles on Program Evaluation
How Governments Learn From Each Other: Policy Transfer vs. Policy Learning
When Massachusetts launched its groundbreaking health insurance reform in 2006, few predicted it would become the blueprint for national healthcare policy. Yet four years…
How Government Plans: Logic Models vs. Theory of Change
Every year, the federal government spends trillions of taxpayer dollars on programs designed to solve problems and improve lives. But how do agencies decide…
Understanding Government Program Evaluation: Your Guide to Formative and Summative Assessments
Every year, the federal government spends trillions of taxpayer dollars on programs designed to improve education, healthcare, infrastructure, and countless other public services. But…
How Government Pilots and Scales Programs
The government faces a crucial choice every time it wants to launch a new program, try innovative technology, or tackle a major public challenge:…
The Three Pillars of Good Government: How to Judge If Policies Actually Work
When politicians promise to fix problems or make life better, how do you know if they're actually delivering? The answer lies in understanding three…
When Government Gets Results
Every year, your government spends trillions of dollars and employs millions of people. But how do you know if all that activity actually makes…
Policy Analysis vs. Policy Evaluation: How Government Works
Every government decision affects your life, from the roads you drive on to the schools your kids attend. But how do officials decide what…