In evaluating whether to continue a community-based program, which metric should be prioritized?

In evaluating whether to continue a community-based program, which metric should be prioritized?

• A. Campus goals achievement and student outcomes.
• B. The number of community partners.
• C. The amount of grant money.
• D. The number of volunteers.

Answer: (A)

Prioritize campus goals and student outcomes. Focusing on whether the program helps the institution meet its objectives and whether it produces real benefits for students shows whether the program is effective and worth continuing. This outcome-oriented view provides evidence of value and guides future decisions, rather than just showing how many partners exist, how much grant money is secured, or how many volunteers are involved. Those inputs matter for implementation, but they don’t by themselves prove that the program achieves its intended change. To evaluate well, define clear outcomes tied to campus goals, collect data on those outcomes, and assess whether participation leads to the desired student or community impact.

Prioritize campus goals and student outcomes. Focusing on whether the program helps the institution meet its objectives and whether it produces real benefits for students shows whether the program is effective and worth continuing. This outcome-oriented view provides evidence of value and guides future decisions, rather than just showing how many partners exist, how much grant money is secured, or how many volunteers are involved. Those inputs matter for implementation, but they don’t by themselves prove that the program achieves its intended change. To evaluate well, define clear outcomes tied to campus goals, collect data on those outcomes, and assess whether participation leads to the desired student or community impact.