Outcome Measurement Resource Network

Outcome Measurement Resource Network

Resource Library

Program Outcome Measurement Resources

Strategies, Tools, Methods

Assessment Resources and Tools for Programs Accountability and Evaluation. 4 pp., 1997. University of Minnesota, Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement.: Abstracts of instruments and data sources cross-referenced to the outcome areas identified by Minnesota Charter schools. A useful compendium of existing measures that may be appropriate for use by a charter school as part of its accountability plan. The selection of outcome areas to be assessed and corresponding measures will, of course, depend upon the mission and goals of the charter school.
Center for Schools and Communities. Program Outcome Areas and Specific Program Outcome Goals. 4 pp.: Provides an illustrative list of specific program outcome goals under each of the broad program outcome areas established by the Center for School and Communities. Each of these goals is related to improvements in outcomes for people served by the Center's programs.
Clearing House Health Outcomes: Finding Information on Health Outcome Measures.: General guide to finding information about health outcome measures along with information on some common measures and further sources of information.
Evaluating Family Resilience Programs. 5 pp., 1998. Wendy Stivers. Human Development and Family Life Bulletin, Vol. 4, Issue 1, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.: Article provides simple and practical steps on how to evaluate children, youth and family programs and a summary of resources on the Internet that can assist with the evaluation process.
Field Guide to Outcome-Based Evaluation. 176 pp., 1994. Jane Reisman, Judith Clegg, Richard Mockler, and John Collins. The Evaluation Forum, Seattle, WA. Order from 206/269-0171.: Presents all the information you need to know to conduct your own outcome-based evaluation, in plain language with real examples. Topics include developing a "logic model" for your program, defining outcomes you can measure, selecting your evaluation design, developing survey and interview instruments, choosing a sample, collecting and analyzing your data, and using your results.
Health Outcomes Measurement: Site lists projects undertaken by the Health Care Practice and R&D (HCPRDU) in connection to health outcome measurement. Some of these projects are the European Database of Outcomes and Research Based Practice, the European Clearing Houses on Health Outcomes (ECHHO), Evidence-Based Social Care Policy and Practice, and User and Career Outcomes in Heart Attack and Stroke.
Internet Resources for Higher Education Outcome Assessments. North Carolina State University.: Links to assessment in higher education and educational evaluation in general including university assessment pages, general resources agencies, institutes and organizations assessment instruments and techniques, assessment papers and reports, and commercial resources on assessment benchmarking software.
Managing and Analyzing Data for Outcome-Based Evaluation. 103 pp., 2000. Marc Bolan, Kimberly Francis, and Jane Reisman. The Evaluation Forum, Seattle, WA. Order from 206/269-0171 or visit the web site.: Introduces you to the process of preparing and analyzing data for outcome-based evaluation. Based on Microsoft Excel and Access, it can serve as a stand-alone resource to guide your data analysis or be used as part of a training or technical assistance program. Several "Try It!" exercises and a sample data set help you practice valuable skills covered in the handbook. Topics include data management software, data coding, using Access for data entry, using Excel for data analysis, and basic data analysis techniques.
Making the Case: Measuring the Impact of Youth Development Programs. 28 pp., 1996. Nancy Leffert et al, Search Institute. Order from Search Institute at 1-800/888-7828 (ISBN-157482-721-9).: Reviews and synthesizes the literature in the field to determine commonly held goals and desired youth outcomes across local youth development programs, documents youth outcomes from various types of programs, and creates a framework for thinking about the relationship between program goals and various youth outcomes.
Measuring Program Outcomes: A Practical Approach. 170 pp., 1996. United Way of America, Alexandria, VA.: A step-by-step manual for health, human service, and youth- and family-serving agencies on specifying program otucomes, developing measurable indicators, identifying data sources and data collection methods, analyzing and reporting findings, and using outcome information. Demonstrates the use of logic models in clarifying and communicating outcomes. Cities experiences of many types of agencies. Includes worksheets, examples, and a bibliography on measurement issues and performance indicators. Over 125,000 copies are in circulation. Download: Detailed table of contents and Excerpts from the manual. To order, contact Sales Service/America at 800-772-0008 (toll-free US) or 703/212-6300. Item No. 0989. Price: $5 plus shipping and handling.
Measuring Program Outcomes: A Practical Approach. (Audiotape) 1996. Available from the American Foundation for the Blind. To order call: (212) 502-7641 or e-mail:afbinfo@afb.net: The American Foundation for the Blind has professionally recorded Measuring Program Outcomes: A Practical Approach as part of its Talking Book program for persons who are blind or otherwise print-disabled. These cassettes are in 4 tracks, playable only on 4-track players (non-commercial).
Measuring Program Outcomes Training Kit. 1996. United Way of America, Alexandria, VA.: Supports practice-oriented training on applying the concepts and procedures in Measuring Program Outcomes: A Practical Approach. Modular format supports adaptation to local needs. Includes presentation notes, activity instructions, transparency and worksheet originals, and a 23-minute video introducing key concepts and definitions. To order, contact Sales Service/America at 800-772-0008 (toll free-US) or 703-212-6300.
Outcome Measurement: Tip Sheets and Work Sheets. United Way of America, Alexandria, VA.: A number of tip sheets and work sheets including how to identify your program's outcomes, questions to ask in reviewing logic models, choosing program outcomes to measure, and identifying and assessing possible outcome indicators.
Outcomes for Success! 2000 Edition. 113 pp. Jane Reisman and Judith Clegg. Organizational Research Services and Clegg & Associates, Seattle, WA. Order from 206/269-0171 or visit the web site and click on publications.: An introduction to outcome-based evaluation. Walks you through the steps necessary to develop measurable outcomes and indicators for your program. Includes examples of logic models, exercises to teach evaluation skills, a guide to establishing an evaluation plan and more.
Project Outcomes Evaluation Framework: A flowchart providing the framework for evaluating project outcomes. Presents a systematic way to examine the development and outcome measurement process of a project through the use of seven different stages.
Targeting Outcomes of Programs (TOP). 1995. Kay Rockwell and Claude Bennet. Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.: An outcomes-focused approach to planning, implementing, and evaluating programs. Based on a hierarchy that integrates program evaluation within the program development process. Uses nine steps to target specific outcomes in program development and then to assess the degree to which the outcome targets are reached.
The Council on Quality and Leadership. Click on publications, then on "Learning about Outcomes" and "Organizational Improvement".: Provides a listing of several council publications about outcomes. Although the full text is not available online, there is a brief summary of each. An order form is also included. Publications range from general information about outcomes to more specific applications such as Personal Outcome Measures for Children and Youth.

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