Date of Award
5-1-1990
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Education Specialist
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Advisor
Dr. Joan Horn
Keywords
comprehensive planning, decision-making process, educational change, educational management, educational planning model, goals, impact analysis, implementation, monitoring, needs assessment, objectives, program design, program evaluation, program planning, school improvement, short-range planning
Abstract
Increasing student population, changing demographics, increasing community expectations and limited resources have combined in the district under study to warrant modification in the planning of educational programs having districtwide impact or significant cost. Interviews with the executive staff within the organization and their program planners verified the need for change in planning major programs. The focus of this study was the evolution of a Program Planning Model to address this need developed in collaboration with the primary decision-makers and program planners. During formulation of the developmental planning phase of this document, additional components were added at the request of the assistant superintendent for District Planning to include implementation, monitoring and evaluation. After a six-month piloting of the planning document, results were determined by using a follow-up questionnaire for program planners and decision-makers. Because of time constraints, evaluation of the model was based on the developmental planning components only; the operational components--implementation, monitoring, and evaluation--will be evaluated after a three to five year period by the sponsoring department. Results based on the developmental portion of the planning document reveal a high percentage among program planners who are in agreement that the model is beneficial to them as planners and a majority in agreement among decision-makers that the model is beneficial to them as decision-makers. About a quarter in the latter group were undecided about some statements. This view is likely the result of inadequate time to assess the success of long-term decisions based on the use of the model. Appendices include interview questions used to assess need, monitoring log sheet, and evaluation questionnaires.