Over the last three years at the Y we have worked to implement, scale, and refine the YQ (Y-Quality) Early Learning Initiative. The Y's systemic professional development initiative is focused on elevating instructional quality to improve educational outcomes for Chicago's children, many of whom are misserved by inequitable systems.
We are incredibly excited to report that thanks to the support and partnership of the McCormick Foundation, we will be expanding the current evaluation and assessment work. In the next phase of this initiative, we are looking to build on the learnings from these first few years. Attached please find RFPs for both a lead evaluation partner and an assessment partner (two-year project, subject to review after year one) -- We would greatly appreciate it if you share with your networks.
Please reach out with any questions and thank you in advance for your willingness to spread the word!
Did you know that Chicagoland Evaluation Association members get a special rate on Evaluators' Institute courses this April in Chicago? Contact us at connect@evalchicago.org for the discount code.
Program Dates: April 29-May 4, 2019 Location: Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare Area, 5615 N. Cumberland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631
Courses:
Social and Organizational Network Analysis (2-day course, April 29-30) Instructor: Kimberly A. Fredericks, PhD Category: Analytic Approaches
Linking Evaluation Questions to Analysis Techniques (3-day course, April 29-May 1) Instructor: Melvin M. Mark, PhD Category: Evaluation Approaches and Techniques
Strategy Mapping (2-day course, April 29-30) Instructor:John Bryson, PhD Category: Using Evaluation – Strategies and Capacity
Developmental Evaluation: Systems and Complexity (2-day course, April 29-30) Instructor: Michael Quinn Patton, PhD Category: Evaluation Approaches and Techniques
Culture and Evaluation (1-day course, May 1) Instructor: Leona Ba, EdD Category: Using Evaluation – Strategies and Capacity
Using Non-experimental Designs for Impact Evaluation (2-day course, May 1-2) Instructor: Gary T. Henry, PhD Category: Evaluation Theory, Design and Methods
Qualitative Evaluation Methods (2-day course, May 1-2) Instructor: Michael Quinn Patton, PhD Category: Evaluation Theory, Design and Methods
Presenting Data Effectively: Practical Methods for Improving Evaluation Communication(2-day course, May 2-3) Instructor: Stephanie Evergreen, PhD Category: Using Evaluation – Strategies and Capacity
Monitoring & Evaluation: Frameworks and Fundamentals (2-day course, May 3-4) Instructor: Ann Doucette, PhD Category: Evaluation Foundations
Sampling: Basic Methods for Probability Sampling and Non-Probability Samples (1-day course, May 3) Instructor: Gary T. Henry, PhD Category: Evaluation Theory, Design and Methods
Designing, Managing, and Analyzing Multi-Site Evaluations (2-day course, May 3-4) Instructor: Debra J. Rog, PhD Category: Evaluation Theory, Design and Methods
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is accepting applications for a Research Project Specialist starting in summer or fall 2019 with rolling admission. Applicants with a Bachelor's or Master's Degree are encouraged to apply. Applicants interested in a gap year before graduate school are welcome. Qualified candidates will have experience in the research process including identifying related articles, applying for grants, collecting data, and analyzing data. Candidates must have interests that align with one of our divisions (a) Human and Community Development, (b) Epidemiology and Biostatistics, or (c) Health System Science. Past projects include the topics of obesity, HIV, cancer, and mental/ behavioral health. For full description, see the link below and the attachment. For further questions, contact Nicole Summers at nsummers91@siumed.edu.
https://siumed.hiretouch.com/research--basic-science-faculty-jobs
Serving under the direction of the director of or vice president for program strategy, the program officer is responsible for identifying and nurturing opportunities for affecting positive systemic change within communities, and executing programming efforts that are aligned with the organizational direction. The program officer will work closely with other staff to ensure integration and coordination of efforts.
Additional Info
Education/Experience
an interview with Dr. Anne Farrell, Director of Research, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
For this edition of The Chicagoland Evaluator, Dr. Rafiqah Mustafaa, Evaluation Coach at Planning, Implementation, Evaluation Org interviewed Dr. Anne Farrell, Director of Research at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. Below, Rafiqah shares Dr. Farrell’s valuable tips on how readers might conduct rigorous translational research and evaluation that can be useful for decision-making.
1. Deeply examine the theory of change. This is an essential component of any project because it helps the evaluator or researcher to understand the logic behind the policy or program being examined. To understand this logic, Dr. Farrell suggests asking questions like what is this program/policy trying to accomplish? And who is involved in implementation?These answers provide a realistic idea of how the program operates, the outcomes that matter, and where our work can have the most impact. Too often, measurement of implementation is ignored, making it impossible to know what components are responsible for change (or lack thereof).
2. Seek the perspectives of various stakeholders including the policy’s intended beneficiaries and frontline workers. Inquiry into the effectiveness or impact of a policy or program involves an informed, collaborative dialogue. As evaluators, we have perspectives that shape our inquiry; however, there are many things we don’t know, or can’t know, because of our particular vantage points. It is important that we understand the perspectives of the beneficiaries, frontline workers, and other stakeholders, and use those perspectives to inform our evaluation process. In particular, equity-oriented evaluation efforts need to tap the perspectives of community members and individuals who are intended to benefit from initiatives and programs.
3. Study in depth the policy and its related regulations. Policy-oriented evaluators need to understand deeply the policies of interest in order to align evaluation to inform policy. To do this, evaluators can ask questions like what are the regulations associated with this policy?And how are the intended beneficiaries affected when laws, regulations, or appropriations change? By answering these questions, evaluators are better positioned to provide insightful analyses and relevant recommendations for decision-makers.
4. Focus on collecting data that is needed and useful. Dr. Farrell shared that she has become a measurement “minimalist” as she’s evolved in her career. Very often, heads of agencies, frontline staff, and intended beneficiaries are required to collect and/or report data that is never actually used in evaluation. Policy-oriented evaluators need to have a clear understanding of the purpose of each data point. Knowing this, we can use a more intentional approach to measurement that focuses on collecting quality, useful data, and minimize demands on the individuals involved in the data collection process.
This conversation with Dr. Anne Farrell highlighted that while evaluators bring to their work a range of interests, skillsets, and approaches, it is important to consider how we can be intentional in shaping our work to maximize its utility for policy and practice.
EduDream is looking for an experienced research associate (3-5 years experience) with a passion to advance educational equity. It's a great opportunity for someone looking for flexible work hours. This can be either a part-time or consultant position.
Job posting: EduDream_ResearchAssociate_JobDescription2019_FF.pdf
Planning Implementation and Evaluation Org (PIE) provides research and evaluation leadership to non-profit organizations throughout Chicagoland. They are currently seeking a research intern to assist PIE staff in helping organizations use their own data for decision making.
If you are interested, you can view the job description and email your reply to admin@pieorg.org by March 1, 2019.
The Milwaukee Evaluation association invites Chicagoland Evaluation Association members to attend its 2019
Members of the Chicagoland Evaluation Association are eligible for a reduced registration cost of $80.
Keynote Speaker: Vu Le (“voo lay”) is a writer, speaker, vegan, Pisces, and the Executive Director of Rainier Valley Corps, a nonprofit in Seattle that promotes social justice by developing leaders of color, strengthening organizations led by communities of color, and fostering collaboration between diverse communities. Known for his no-BS approach, irreverent sense of humor, and love of unicorns, Vu has been featured in dozens, if not hundreds, of his own blog posts at NonprofitAF.com, formerly nonprofitwithballs.com.
Conference participants will also participate in several methods-based capacity building breakout sessions, network with peers across the state, and meet several emerging evaluators of color. Session abstracts will be posted soon.
Registration includes light refreshments and lunch.
The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Evaluation (IDPE) at Western Michigan University (WMU) is accepting applications for Fall 2019. The IDPE is dedicated to developing evaluation scholars and practitioners who have a deep knowledge of evaluation theory, methodology, and practice as well as superior critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
We are excited to announce that starting in Fall 2019, a limited number of associateships are available to doctoral students with a demonstrated interest in STEM education evaluation and/or research on evaluation in the 2-year college environment. These annually renewable associateships will include tuition, fees, and a stipend.
The WMU Evaluation Center is home to EvaluATE, the evaluation support center for the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education program. In operation since 2008, EvaluATE (www.evalu-ate.org) recently received a new five-year grant that will support two doctoral associates from the IDPE program to work on the grant. Being admitted to the IDPE program is the first step toward consideration for an EvaluATE associateship.
If you’re passionate about research on evaluation and have an interest in or experience evaluating STEM education in the 2-year college environment, we want to hear from you. Start your application today.
Applications requesting financial support, including these associateships, are due February 1, 2019. So, don’t delay.
Go to https://wmich.edu/evaluationphd/apply to access WMU’s online degree-seeking graduate application system that allows all students (domestic and international) to submit required information into one system.
Title: Principal Researcher, Youth Development Mid-career (10+ yrs experience) Job Posting
Institution: Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Title: Data Strategist Early career (4-5 yrs experience) Job Posting
Institution: Chicago Zoological Society Title: Program Evaluation Specialist Early career (2+ yrs experience) Job Posting
Institution: Heartland Alliance Title: Research Associate Early career (2+ yrs experience) Job Posting
Institution: American Institutes for Research (AIR) Title: Education - Research Assistant (Quantitative) Entry Level Job Posting
Institution: NORC at the University of Chicago Title: Survey Specialist Entry Level Job Posting
