Treehaven Inner City Environmental Program Evaluation Framework

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to identify, adapt, pilot test, and assess an evaluation framework to guide the development and evaluation of the program framework of the Treehaven Inner City Environmental Program (ICEP). Knowledge gained from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point course Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation (AEEPE) provided the primary background information for the evaluation framework, which included the program description, the program goals and objectives, a logic model, and an evaluation plan for the Treehaven ICEP. From the Treehaven ICEP evaluation plan, several evaluation tools were created, including an alternative assessment based on KWL charts, an observation form, an interview guide, and a questionnaire. These evaluation tools were pilot tested during and immediately after the 2011 Treehaven ICEP. After concluding these pilot tests, both the evaluation tools and the evaluation framework were assessed and revised. Based on the process of identifying, adapting, pilot testing, and assessing the evaluation framework and evaluation tools, it was concluded that the development of an evaluation framework was a valid means of evaluating and further developing the program framework of the Treehaven ICEP. This paper also provides practical recommendations for how to actually create the program framework from the evaluation framework and how to implement the evaluation framework. Successful utilization of the evaluation framework with the Treehaven ICEP could lead to application of the evaluation framework to other current or future environmental education (EE) programs at Treehaven, as well as EE programs at other organizations.