What occurs when the intent of the evaluation is to assess program achievements or outcomes?

When the intent of the evaluation is to assess program achievements or outcomes, the most appropriate term is summative evaluations. These evaluations are conducted after a program has been implemented to determine its overall effectiveness and to measure the extent to which expected outcomes have been achieved. They provide a comprehensive assessment of the results and impact of the program, helping stakeholders understand how well the objectives were met.

Summative evaluations often include pre-set criteria for success and focus on the final results rather than the process of implementation, making them ideal for understanding the overall effectiveness of educational programs or training initiatives. By evaluating the outcomes, stakeholders can make informed decisions regarding the future of the program, including whether to continue, modify, or discontinue it based on the acquired data.

In contrast, the other types of evaluations, such as formative or diagnostic, focus more on ongoing assessment throughout the program or identifying specific areas for improvement rather than on the final results. Retrospective evaluations look back at a completed program but do not inherently focus on measuring achievement against the program's goals.