ABSTRACT
A more developmental evaluative strategy would place emphasis on the use of information for generating program innovation and change. Formative evaluation is a more inductive, program-based, theoretical approach that is concerned with findings while the program is in operation, primarily for the purpose of modifying and improving program efforts, effectiveness and efficiency. Upon program completion programs routinely collect information about client conditions at the time of termination. Employment programs can make clients more employable, but the economy determines the availability of jobs. Consequently, assessing employment programs for increasing the employability of clients makes more sense than looking solely at future employment records. Developmental program evaluation relies on both qualitative and quantitative evaluation data for making future-oriented clinical and programmatic decisions. Developmental evaluation rests on the assumption that with greater organizational attention given to client and staff development, program level evaluation outcome indicators also will improve.
