A Program Development & Improvement Planner


: A Program Development & Improvement Planner

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The following check list helps you to . . .

Think carefully about the process you will use to design and improve your program. (This may be your only use of this form.)
Decide the extent and kinds of help you want from Barry during the process.

Should the Steps In This Program Planner Be Done In the Order Shown?

Although this check list is presented in the order which Barry Sweeny recommends that you work, the actual work sequence can be changed. If you question the sequence for any step, select the step on the planner anyway, and then ask Barry for his rationale when you negotiate the contract for his work with you. He may have a reason for the sequence that you have not considered.

Click here if you'd like to see an example of the rationale behind placement of step #21 in the sequence.

How to Use This Planner

The following Program Development & Improvement Planner is:

Appropriate for developing a NEW or improving an EXISTING program
Recommended by Barry Sweeny as the best process. However, that does not mean it is always best to do all these steps right now.
Recommended to be done in the sequence presented. Barry has very good reasons for this sequence. (See an example of the rationale behind placement of step #21 for more about this issue.)

1. If all you want is Barry's guidance for the design of an effective program EVALUATION process, you can go directly to the following steps in the planner and skip all the others:

Steps 14 A. through 14 G, and
Steps 23 through 26.

2. If you just want help with development of a NEEDS ASSESSMENT click here now.

3. If you are designing a NEW program AND want comprehensive help, you should start at the BEGINNING of the Planner.
4. IF you have an EXISTING program, read down from the beginning, and select the steps that:

Need to be redone to improve clarity and provide better direction
Need to be done because they are missing in your process so far.

5. If you DO NOT want to use this Program Planner, just click here for an easier way to begin consulting work with Barry.

6. AS YOU USE THE PLANNER, decide WHEN each of the steps need to be done. Consider readiness, when data are needed to answer key program questions, etc.

7. Decide which of the activities YOU WILL DO, but for which you do NOT WANT Barry's advice or guidance.

8. For any of the activities in which you WANT Barry's advice, guidance, and/or facilitation, SELECT the level of support you want.

"ADVICE" means that Barry would provide you consulting assistance one time before you do the process.
"GUIDANCE" is more on-going advice & problem solving at any time DURING a process.
"LEADING" means that Barry would actually LEAD that step in the process so you can be a participant.
"DO IT" means that you want Barry to actually do that step for you, so you & your staff DON'T have to do it.

9. Your use of this planner may be as simple or as comprehensive as you like. For example, you may just select a very few items from this planner for Barry to do, and not change any of the remaining button settings. OR, you might not want to use the planner at all, and just call Barry to discuss what you want him to do for you. (If so, call 630-668-2605.)

10. After you have completed the checklist:

Print a copy for yourself
Press the "Submit" button to send it to Barry.

A Program Development & Improvement Planner

	*WHEN WILL IT BE DONE?*			*LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE DESIRED?*
*THE STEPS IN THE* *PROGRAM DESIGN & IMPROVEMENT PROCESS*	THIS YEAR	NEXT YEAR	LATER OR NEVER	YOU WILL DO THE ACTIVITY BY YOURSELF	WANT BARRY'S ADVICE, BEFORE YOU DO IT YOURSELF	WANT BARRY'S ADVICE BEFORE & GUIDANCE AS YOU DO IT	WANT BARRY'S ADVICE & GUIDANCE & FOR BARRY TO DO IT
1. Create a program planning group (PPG): A. Identify needed institutional & constituency partners (See an explanation)
B. Identify, contact & recruit representatives

2. Discuss and define desired results, and write a program purpose statement
3. Discuss and define/select the conceptual framework underlying participant development & improvement of results. (See an explanation)
4. Discuss and define links among this program and other existing improvement initiatives (See an explanation)

5. Search the relevant literature for program & participant best practices linked to desired results: A. Collect articles and research reports	This yr	Next yr	Later?	Do it yourself	Want advice but do it your self	Want advice & guidance but do it your self	Want advice, guidance & Barry to do it
B. Read articles and write summaries of content (See a rationale for doing a literature search)

6. Presentation to the PPG of the best practices linked to desired results

7. Assessment of local needs A. Educator needs
B. Organizational needs (retention, improved teaching, etc.)

8. Review information & select appropriate strategies: A. Discuss research information & data	This yr	Next yr	Later?	Do it yourself	Want advice but do it your self	Want advice & guidance but do it your self	Want advice, guidance & Barry to do it
B. Reach conclusions about which needs to address
C. Reach conclusions about program strategies, components & participant practices that will address selected needs

9. Set measurable long-term program goals and shorter-term objectives for each of the first three years - (See an explanation)
10. Discuss & set a program implementation time line

11. Define participant expectations, roles & tasks: A. For teachers
B. For non-classroom educators? (See an example)
C. For a program coordinator
D. For administrators at various levels

12. Discuss and define necessary participant incentives & recognition
13. Define or assess what each participant group already knows and can do related to expectations, role & tasks and what they will need to learn thru training.	this yr.	next yr	Later?	Do it yourself	Want advice but do it your self	Want advice & guidance but do it your self	Want advice, guidance & Barry to do it

14. Plan the program evaluation: A. Develop parameters & standards for program evaluation (See an explanation of "parameters & standards")
B. Define evaluation questions to be answered based on future decisions to be made by and about the program.
C. Define audiences for evaluation data, conclusions & recommendations (See explanation of "audiences")

D. Discuss & select measurable indicators to evaluate * Completion of planned program activities & extent of program implementation (See explanation of "indicators")
* Completion of planned participant activities & extent of implementation of desired practices
* Attainment of program goals and objectives
* Professional growth of participants & leaders (such as changes in levels of professional function on conceptual framework)	this yr	next yr	Later?	Do it yourself	Want advice but do it your self	Want advice & guidance but do it your self	Want advice, guidance & Barry to do it
* Extent to which identified needs are met
* Extent of change in professional practices by participants and leaders
* Changes in student learning behaviors & achievement

E. Check alignment of evaluation indicators to program goals & objectives (See an explanation of this step.)

F. Define data collection process: * Identify target audiences from which to collect data	this yr	next yr	Later?	Do it yourself	Want advice but do it your self	Want advice & guidance but do it your self	Want advice, guidance & Barry to do it
* Identify or create tools needed to collect data & decide if need to validate tools
* Define data collection, analysis, and reporting time line
* Select person(s) responsible for implementation of evaluation plan

G. Develop targets for improvement for each indicator. (See an explanation of this step)
H. Observe, survey & collect the data using designed instruments
I. Collate, tally & analyze the data, then write a report with conclusions & recommendations
15. Discuss, define & plan participant selection (& matching?) processes & criteria. (May not be needed in every program.)	this yr	next yr	later?	Do it yourself	Want advice but do it your self	Want advice & guidance but do it your self	Want advice, guidance & Barry to do it
16. Discuss, define program leadership needs & plan program leadership trainings & support needed.
17. Discuss, define & plan participant trainings & support needed.

18. Discuss, define & plan other needed program activities & their coordination.
19. Define resources and budget needed to support the program.
20. Prepare a program proposal for use in seeking the resources & budget needed to support the program. (See Barry's recommendations for this step.)
21. Communicate with and seek program support from key decision makers. (See rationale for placement of this step)

22. Use your program proposal to seek grant funding for initial implementation until you can show data regarding program impact to your organization's decision makers and gain sufficient support from them.	this yr	next yr	Later?	Do it yourself	Want advice but do it your self	Want advice & guidance but do it your self	Want advice, guidance & Barry to do it
23. Implement plans according to the implementation time line.
24. Implement needed program revisions. (Those you want Barry to guide or advise or do.)
25. Report to decision makers & participants on program and participant progress with implementation & on progress toward goals.

Please add your CONTACT INFORMATION here.

Your Name -	Street Address -
Position -	City -
Organization -	Abbreviation for State or Province -
Phone Number -	Country - USA > - Other? >
Email Address -	Postal/Zip Code -

Add any additional COMMENTS or other instructions you wish in this box.

All done? Now... Print a copy of this information for yourself BEFORE you send the form to Barry, then...

: Click ONCE on the "SUBMIT" button to send the contents of the form to Barry Sweeny.
: Then, please wait a few seconds while the form is processed and sent, and until you get the next page.

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