This is an Eval Central archive copy, find the original at structuredsolutionsllc.org. In my last post, I talked about how the recent American Rescue Plan Act will bring an influx of funds specifically for out-of-school time (OST) — after-school and summer — programs, as well as for community schools and wraparound services. This is a […]
Funding is Coming: Get Your Evidence Ready!
This is an Eval Central archive copy, find the original at structuredsolutionsllc.org. Here’s a sentence we don’t often get to say in education: the motherlode of funding is coming our way! The recently-passed American Rescue Plan Act has set aside … brace yourself … over $2 BILLION for out-of-school time (OST) — after-school and summer […]
Education’s lessons learned from a year at home
This is an Eval Central archive copy, find the original at structuredsolutionsllc.org. It’s hard to believe that a year ago this week, my husband and I returned from a trip to visit my family and went into lockdown for the first time. At that time, the thought of staying at home for even two weeks […]
Your data tracking cheat sheet
This is an Eval Central archive copy, find the original at structuredsolutionsllc.org. In my last post, I talked about how logic models — although they can be a chore — can actually be a great visual roadmap of your program’s components, benchmarks, and goals. Working collaboratively to develop a logic model can be a unifying […]
From “Ugh” to “Ooh!” – Reframing Logic Models
This is an Eval Central archive copy, find the original at structuredsolutionsllc.org. “Ugh, they’re making us submit a logic model? What is the point of a logic model anyway?” “I don’t understand all that technical jargon. What am I supposed to put in a logic model?” These are the thoughts I imagine my clients having […]
Use Google Maps to explore your data in a new way
This is an Eval Central archive copy, find the original at structuredsolutionsllc.org. Isn’t it so gratifying to learn a new skill and get to apply it? One thing I’ve been learning lately is how to use ArcGIS, a super fancy mapping tool that allows you to collect, analyze, and visualize all sorts of data. I’ve talked […]
We need teachers today.
This is an Eval Central archive copy, find the original at structuredsolutionsllc.org. When I was a senior in high school, I thought the coolest job would be to serve as a member of Congress. I was lucky to be part of an amazing course (in a public school, might I add!) called Government and Law-Related […]
More than a feeling
This is an Eval Central archive copy, find the original at structuredsolutionsllc.org. It’s the end of the year, when we reflect on the past year and look forward to new beginnings. I haven’t done any rigorous data collection about this, but I think it’s fair to assume that most people would rate 2020 as a […]
Word Clouds and Key Quotations: Making Qualitative Data Work for You
This is an Eval Central archive copy, find the original at structuredsolutionsllc.org. This week I’ve got a co-author to help me continue my qualitative data series! Sarah Dunifon is Founder and Principal Evaluator of Improved Insights LLC, an educational evaluation firm focused on STEM and youth-based programming. She is based in Cleveland, Ohio and is a fellow board […]
Numbers Can’t Tell the Whole Story
This is an Eval Central archive copy, find the original at structuredsolutionsllc.org. You should know by now that I’m a bit of a data nerd. I love spreadsheets. I love organizing data and using it to illuminate patterns. I love the “ah-ha” moments when clients realize how much their own data can tell them about […]