PADM 5342 - Evaluation for Accountability and Oversight; G.A.O. Practicum

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: PADM 5340.

M. Johnson.

In this graduate-level course, students will plan and conduct evaluation and policy analysis projects sponsored by the U.S. G.A.O., then synthesize project experiences with knowledge of best practices in evaluation for accountability and oversight. Includes a planning component in Ithaca 1/20-1/22 and a trip to Washington, D.C. 4/28-4/29.

Outcome 1: Apply professional interpersonal and project management skills to function effectively in the role of external evaluator for accountability and oversight

Outcome 2: Critically review prior evaluation work in the particular U.S. national program or policy area corresponding to a particular evaluation project

Outcome 3: Collaboratively design and scope an evaluation project with project sponsor and stakeholders

Outcome 4: Apply social science methods for evaluation, including mixed methods data collection and analysis, with special Emphasis on a) conducting interviews and b) gaining access to, and working with large administrative data sets

Outcome 5: Prepare and present a full-length professional evaluation report, suitable for background use by the G.A.O. and

Outcome 6: Synthesize insights from project work with Knowledge of best practices in evaluation for accountability and oversight.