Program Evaluations are often divided into categories depending on their purpose, Formative Evaluations and Summative Evaluations.
Formative Evaluations are used as part of program planning and improvement.
Formative Evaluations include Needs Assessments and mid-term evaluations used to determine if a program is on track and how it might be improved to better meet clientele needs.
Summative Evaluations are used to determine program results and effectiveness, based on desired outcomes and impacts.
Summative Evaluations include evaluations for program components (a single workshop, publications, website or event) and also broader measures of overall program outcomes and impact.
Both types of evaluations can rely on many different methods for collecting and analyzing data.
A single evaluation instrument (such as a survey) can include both formative and summative types of questions.
Some authors use other terms to describe various types of evaluation, including needs evaluation, process evaluation and outcome evaluation.
School IPM Program Survey A survey used to determine clientele use of various program components for future planning purposes. (PDF, 81KB)
Summative Evaluation
Evaluation from 2006 APMC Summit This primarily summative evaluation focuses on documenting immediate program outcomes. (PDF, 71KB)
Turfgrass Outreach Education Session Survey This survey documenting participants' impressions of a meeting while gathering broader input on the turn extension program. (PDF, 55KB)
