28+ SAMPLE Program Evaluation Proposal in PDF

What is a Program Evaluation Proposal?

A program evaluation proposal  is a concise written document that demonstrates the program goals, program evaluation questions, resource requirements and budget, structured plan of program evaluation, project methodology and communication plan, and the benefits of the program evaluation. This is a valuable tool to initiate and manage in-depth evaluation of a specific project methodology or program in order to develop an outline composed of suggestions, commendations, as well as positive and/or constructive feedback concerning the status of activities, projects and other elements involved in the program being examined. Also, it plays a significant role in determining the specific stage of growth and development of a particular program and in formulating logical decisions.

Based on report, the top project management functions are project tracking and performance monitoring (75%), project oversight (68%), project planning, resource allocation and schedule (66%), project analysis, project selection and prioritization (65%), and project management process implementation and management (61%). Thus, all types of general managers, project leaders, medical and health program managers, educators, trainers, and other professionals in other fields and industries should document and evaluate projects and programs every year through an effective program evaluation proposal. 

Different Types of Program Evaluation Proposals

In every project planning and evaluation process, there exists a project lifecycle which comprises different phases: needs assessment, project planning, implementation, and evaluation. For the evaluation phase, it focuses on establishing benchmarks and accountability into one’s project or program plan and utilizing them to evaluate the plan as the project manager or program developer goes and after the project or program is done. If you need to give your project or program a more strategic structure while providing evidence for your results, especially in contributing to expanding the knowledge ground about a specific field. In this section, you will learn and understand about the different types of program evaluation proposals. To guide you in this matter, read the following details:

1. Lifeline Program Evaluation Proposal

A lifeline program is a program that offers a discount for eligible low-income residents on their monthly telephone and/or broadband service. Eligible individuals can apply for a discount to internet service, telephone service or a combination of the internet and telephone service plan. For example, the Pennsylvania Public Utility (PUC) Lifeline Telephone and Broadband Assistance Program is a federal government  benefit being provided by the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) to save an average of $7.25 of the households’  monthly basic service. By doing this, many residents of Pennsylvania can have access to affordable telephone and internet service. If you currently have a lifeline program that needs to be examined for revision, it is important to prepare a compelling lifeline program evaluation proposal. Include the details of solicitation such as the method of solicitation, award effective date, contract period of performance, solicitation number, solicitation issue date, and offer due date. Add other information on who will issue the contract, contact information of both the issuer and the offeror, and the signature of the offeror.

2. School Program Evaluation Proposal

There are different kinds of school programs such as Youth Development Program, Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Family and Youth Program, Internet Safety School Program, Media-Smart Youth Program, and many others. For example, SAMHSA’s Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health is a school program to promote public awareness when it comes to the mental health of children. Mental health is a crucial part of the children’s overall health as it affects their physical health and their ability to succeed in school, at work and in society. According to the 2001 report of the Surgeon General’s Conference on Children’s Mental Health: A National Action Agenda of the Department of Health and Human Services,  it is estimated that only about 7% of the youth who need services receive appropriate help from mental health professionals. When writing a proposal for your school program, indicate the instructor information, and the teaching assistant information. Then, write the introduction and course goals of the school program. Add some information about the textbooks and other resources to be used. 

3. Health Care Program Evaluation Proposal

There are many health care programs out there that enhance the quality of healthcare systems. Some examples of essential health care programs are family health programs, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases health programs, prevention and control of communicable disease programs, environmental health and sanitation programs, and many other priority health programs. For family health programs, they conduct maternal health programs, family planning programs, child health programs, child health programs, immunization health programs, nutrition programs, oral health programs, and other health programs. Write the introduction and the background of the health care program while preparing your health care program evaluation proposal.

4. Grant Program Evaluation Project Proposal

When you write your grant program evaluation project proposal, define the project title and set the proposal due date. Include the estimated contract period, consultant eligibility and the description of the grant program evaluation project. Also, consider what Michael Wells of Grants Northwest said about the “carrot and stick” of grant preparation which means the carrot is what your organization gains from evaluation and the stick is the funder requirement. Wells recommends that grant seekers should take advantage of that mandate to develop an outstanding evaluation because it will be useful in improving your grant program. That’s why it is important to focus on the advantage rather than the rule.

Benefits of a Program Evaluation 

The Australian Ministry of Finance defined program evaluation as the systematic assessment of a program or some portions of it. It guides managers and other decision makers to analyze the appropriateness, efficiency and effectiveness of a program. It delves into the case for establishment of new programs, or extensions to existing programs. Then, it formulates a decision whether the resources for the program should continue at current levels, be increased, minimized or suspended. It is not just about assessing whether a specific initiative was a success or failure but conducting program evaluation is beneficial in creating the data and information about a specific initiative’s success and why. So, what are some notable benefits of an effective program evaluation? Below are some of the benefits:

1. Records and Examines the Program Development 

What is the approximate number of current programs? What is the average length of a typical program? Approximately how many people are available to work programs? What percentage of programs meet customer expectations based on their quality? What percentage of programs are delivered on-time? How frequently does the introduction of new development programs interfere with existing production processes? Do you know of any situations where a program has been undertaken that repeats functionality in another project? Conducting an effective program evaluation is integral in recording and examining the development and inputs of a specific program.

2. Enhance the Success Rate of Attaining the Goals and Objectives of the Program

Based on the Project Manager’s Guide to Managing Impact and Process Evaluation Studies, program managers should clearly define and formulate the evaluation goals, objectives and expectations before selecting a qualified independent third-party evaluator. So, the evaluation program managers or the program staff assigned responsibility for the program should be familiar with all the steps in the evaluation process. Thus, performing a program evaluation is important to enhance the success rate of attaining the specific goals and objectives of the program.

3. Detect Specific Areas and Components for Improvement

Through facilitating program evaluation, program and project managers are able to identify what specific components of an initiative in a program do not work and why they are not effective. Also, determine certain areas that require improvement in order to provide the best service possible.

Basic Elements of a Program Evaluation Proposal

In this section, you will learn how to construct a remarkably written and well-designed program evaluation proposal. However, a program evaluation proposal has different parts. Include the following elements for you to create an excellent document:

How to Create a Program Evaluation Proposal

Donald B. Yarbrough, the author of The Program Evaluation Standards: A Guide for Evaluators and Evaluation Users, said: “Participants experience evaluation as a meaningful and productive way to enhance patterns of work and communication. Participatory, collaborative, appreciative, and empowering mechanisms are often at the heart of evaluations where process use is a high priority.” Below are some easy-to-follow tips that indicate how to design and craft a professional program evaluation proposal:

Step 1: Write a Clear Overview of the Program Evaluation

What are the key objectives and desired outcomes of your program? Identify the goals, objectives, and desired outcomes when you are conducting a comprehensive program evaluation. Include some information about the intended uses of the evaluation, as well as the type of evaluation that will be needed for the program.

Step 2: Explain the Evaluation Tools and Methods 

How will you measure your objectives and other outcomes of your program? Describe the valid and reliable measurement tools and methods that you will use in your program evaluation. Be consistent as you explain the tools and methods such as the sampling, data collection, data analysis and calculations, etc.

Step 3: Indicate the Timeline and the Logic Model of the Evaluation

The timeline of the overall evaluation process should be defined. Explain how you identified the goals and objectives of the evaluation and how you formulate the decisions that will be based on the evaluation outcomes. Write some details when the evaluation must start in order to deliver its information when it is necessary. Then, describe the logic model of your program as it helps in facilitating an understanding of the processes by which program activities are supposed to lead to specific outputs and to desired outcomes.

Step 4:  Proofread and Revise the Overall Proposal

Check your proposal carefully. Write all the integral elements in your program evaluation proposal. If you notice that you overlook some sections that require additional points, we suggest that you proofread and revise the overall proposal.

Step 5: Prepare the Final Program Evaluation Proposal

After proofreading and revising, you can now prepare the final program evaluation proposal. Add some notes and other crucial messages you want to inform the program committee or management members, and/or other individuals on the last part of your program evaluation proposal. Skim your program evaluation proposal for final analysis and quality check.

FAQs

Therefore, writing a clear and effective program evaluation proposal is an important written document to initiate a thorough evaluation of the design, content and structure of the program to the management.  When you submit the proposal, it will provide you and other program managers an opportunity when it comes to recording and examining the development of the program, enhancing the success rate of attaining the program goals and objectives, and detecting specific areas and components for overall improvement. So, here are some of our downloadable and printable program evaluation proposal samples available in different kinds of formats such as lifeline program evaluation proposals, school program evaluation proposals, and health care program evaluation proposals. Simply click the program evaluation proposal templates in this article and start downloading now!