Public Programs

Evaluators need to have a realistic understanding of the context of evaluations, the political uses of evaluations, and the conditions under which information from evaluations are used to advance stakeholder, agency, and sponsor interests. For this Discussion, consider various public programs and evaluations from this course and your professional experience.

Post an explanation of why public programs appear to survive despite having been deemed ineffective. Be sure to address all of the following:

• Explain reasons for why a program like D.A.R.E. might be different or considered less effective from other public programs.
• Extend the analogy to least two other federal programs where critics have maintained that few, if any, work.
• Explain how evaluations, particularly those mandated by legislatures and the executive, should be used.