Western Evaluation Capacity Training
WECT
A Groundbreaking 18 Month Training Experience
Commencing September 2011
Concluding February 2013
Program Objective
This cohort of educators is facilitated by OSU and WSU Extension leaders in program evaluation and professional development. The duration of the program will be 18 months, beginning in September, 2011 and concluding in February, 2013. Two cohort groups of individuals from the Western Region will be nominated by the Western Region Extension Directors and Program Leaders. Nominated individuals are expected to be early to mid-career professionals who have prior experience in basic program planning and evaluation with an interest in expanding their working knowledge of program evaluation.
The groups will study advanced evaluation topics through a variety of methodologies including two face-to-face workshops, a series of webinars, self study, and mandatory “office hours”. Office hours will be scheduled monthly with the Evaluation specialist, Professional Development specialist, and/or other appropriate experts.
The eighteen month program will guide participants through to designing, implementing, delivering, and reporting on an in-depth program evaluation. Cohort peers, Extension administrators, and program experts will be the audience for the final report presented at the second and final face-to-face meeting.
Ongoing programmatic feedback will be solicited from cohort members and a final program effectiveness evaluation will be conducted.
Program Outline & Expectations
The Cohort program will follow a defined curriculum that includes face to face, webinar, self study, and other experiential methodologies.
Participant Expectations
- Cohort members will participate in all required activities.
- Cohort members will come to those activities prepared.
- Cohort members will engage with others within and across program areas and across the western Extension region.
Workshop Fees
The Western Region Evaluation Capacity Building Training (WECT) registration fee is $600 per attendee. This fee is inclusive with the exception of travel and lodging at the two on-site meetings. Payment for the program fees will be accepted by purchase order though Oregon State University.
Travel to Corvallis
We suggest that participants make arrangements for travel as soon as possible. Flights are available to either Portland (PDX) or Eugene (EUG). Shuttle is available from PDX directly to the Hilton Garden Inn through HUT AIRPORT SHUTTLE. Car rentals are available at either airport.
Accommodations
We have secured rooms at Oregon State University’s headquarter hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, at an exceptional group rate of $99 per night. The Hilton Garden Inn is a short walk from the Oregon State University campus, the site of the WECT September Program Kick Off session
Make your reservation by calling the hotel directly at 541-752-5000 or via our exclusive reservations page. Be sure to mention Western Evaluation Capacity Training for the special group rate.
Alternative Corvallis lodging can be found at Visit Corvallis.
WECT Program Schedule
Program Kick Off
September 7-8 (Cohort A) or September 8-9 (Cohort B), 2011; Oregon State University, Corvallis Oregon
This two day, face-to-face meeting will include a discussion of the needs assessment findings; review the program’s objectives, expectations, and deliverables; include a discussion on topics for further study; and assign topics to be researched and evaluated. This training will also include an overview of evaluation theory, history, methods and vocabulary. The curriculum will be organized around four topical areas:
- Program planning and evaluation
- Program implementation, monitoring and delivery
- Data management and analysis
- Program evaluation and utilization
Cohort members will be assigned to study groups of four or five members, according to program focus.
October—December 2011
Program Planning and Logic Modeling
January—March 2012
Implementation, Monitoring, and Delivery
April—September 2012
Quantitative & Qualitative Data Management & Analysis
October 2012—January 2013
Evaluation Utilization, Results Interpretation and Impact Reporting
Program Wrap Up
February 15-17, Tucson, AZ (Cohorts A & B)
Face to face meeting—Program conclusion Participants will present the results of their program design and evaluation to the cohort and training team. This is to include a formal research/evaluation presentation, abstract, and impact report. Lessons learned will be reported. Program evaluation will be conducted.