ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of science education program evaluation since the early 2000s, when the prior Handbook of Research on Science Education was published. It begins with an overview of current trends in science education programming followed by a presentation of evaluation definitions, philosophies, and developments. It then presents a description of selected models and guidelines for conducting science education program evaluations. Next, the chapter presents the U.S. perspective on funding science education programs and how funding patterns and accountability standards have influenced the evaluation of science education programs. A review of literature on science education evaluation and descriptions of evaluation instruments are then provided, followed by a concluding discussion providing implications for practice and suggestions for the future.
