kids

Evaluation

Evaluation is a crucial component of any program.  It is vital for a program to collect accurate information to determine the impact of the program and make decisions about its future.

The evaluation of the Fire PALS program is based on:

  1. The program goal: The long-term outcome to be achieved
  2.  Program objectives: The short-term impact of the program
  3. Behavioral objectives: The knowledge and skills participants should acquire from specific lessons
    • Predisposing: Knowledge/Attitude based objectives
    • Enabling: Skill based objectives
    • Reinforcing: Activities to reinforce the above 

The evaluation will include process, impact and outcome.  The purpose of process evaluation is to collect qualitative data regarding the delivery of the program to a specific population.  This information can be used to make necessary improvements in the program’s delivery and function.  In the Fire PALS program, process evaluation will include:

  1. Fire Pal Personal Assessment Form
  2. Student Program Evaluation Form 
  3. Focus Groups with Teachers and Fire Pals

The purpose of impact evaluation is to assess the overall effectiveness of the program in producing changes in knowledge, attitude, behaviors, health status, and skills in a specific population.  Impact evaluations are based on the program’s objectives and the lesson’s learning objectives.  Quantitative data is collected to assess the impact of the program but is supported by qualitative data.  The program coordinator and the University of Northern Iowa’s Global Health Corps program developed the Fire PALS pre and posttests.  

In the Fire Pal Program, the impact evaluation will include:

  1. K-1st grade:
    A random sampling of students.
  2. 2nd  - 3rd grade:
    A pre/post-test design will be read to these students and used to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors.
  3. 4th – 5th grade:
    A written pre/post test design will be used to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. 

The purpose of outcome evaluation is to assess if the long term objectives and program goals were accomplished such as reductions in morbidity and mortality or improvements in the quality of life of the target population.  The University of Iowa’s Injury Prevention Research Center conducts this portion of the Fire PALS program evaluation.  The outcome evaluation will include:

Tracking injury morbidity and mortality occurs through the use of: