CPP's Evaluation Approach

DRAFT

In general, the Center for Positive Practices (CPP) exists to assist clients in planning, implementing, and evaluating their practices to better meet their needs and goals. This philosophy extends to all aspects of our work, including technical assistance and evaluation. We work closely and collaboratively with the people we serve. We provide services that 1) help clients to move toward their goals and objectives, 2) are responsive to their needs and wishes, 3) are informative about areas that are off-course or in need of improvement, and 4) are informative about opportunities for scaling up and/or sustaining their progress.

In contrast to evaluation approaches that are simply audit or summative in nature, CPP's evaluation approach is consistent with state-of-the-art evaluation methods that are supportive of the following: 1) continuous improvement (Connell, Kubisch Lisbeth & Weiss, 1995), 2) participatory collaboration between evaluator and client (Fetterman, Kaftarian, & Wandersman, 1996; Hall, 1993), 3) understanding of the inevitable changes that are inherent in comprehensive initiatives (Weiss, 1995), and 4) supportive of internal action research/self-study by the participants themselves (Israel, 1992).