Treehaven Inner City Environmental Program Evaluation Framework
File(s)
Date
2011-05Author
Van Schyndel, Trina
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
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.