Date of Award
2001
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Keywords
Amtrak, administrative issues, classroom-training programs, committee, criteria, develop, engineer, evaluation, evaluation committee, evaluation models, evaluation process, evaluations, evaluators, feedback, formative committees, guide, implementation, instruments, interim years, literature, locomotive, measurement, objectives, partial evaluations, performance, policy, procedures, program evaluations, program performance, railroads, research question, study, summative committees, training, training evaluation committee, written process, years
Abstract
Amtrak did not have a written process for evaluating its locomotive engineer classroom-training programs. The purpose of this study was to develop a process based on relevant literature, evaluation models of other railroads, and feedback from formative and summative committees. There was one research question: What is an appropriate evaluation process to develop for the Amtrak locomotive engineer classroom-training programs?
The study followed eight procedures, including reviewing appropriate literature, drafting an evaluation process, obtaining feedback from formative and summative committees, and submitting the evaluation process to Amtrak. The evaluation process developed by the study resulted in two documents: policy and procedures, and a guide. The policy and procedures establish when and who will conduct evaluations of the locomotive engineer classroom-training programs. The guide establishes how, or by what criteria, evaluators will measure the programs.
The study made the following five conclusions. First, it was concluded that the Amtrak locomotive engineer classroom training programs needed comprehensive evaluations every three years and partial evaluations during interim years, as required. Second, it was concluded that a training evaluation committee would conduct future program evaluations. Third, it was concluded to evaluate the programs at least at five levels. Fourth, it was concluded that there were 10 objectives for the programs. Fifth, it was concluded the policy and procedures would address several administrative issues.
The study recommended that Amtrak implement the evaluation process developed by the study. Also, it recommended that Amtrak study and develop other instruments that will assist evaluators when measuring program performance.