Rigorous, usable program evaluation

Our evaluation approach

We don't think of evaluation as compliance. A well-designed evaluation is the operating system of a grant-funded program — it tells program managers what's working, shows funders their money is being well spent, and produces evidence the field can build on.

For thirty years we've built evaluations that do all three at once. That means designing logic models up front with program staff, creating data collection instruments educators actually use, running rigorous analyses on the back end, and translating findings into reports and dashboards that make sense to board members and teachers alike.

What a typical engagement includes

• Logic model and theory of change — developed collaboratively with your team, not imposed.
• Data collection instruments — surveys, observation tools, and administrative-data pulls designed around your program.
• Human-subjects compliant — all senior staff hold CITI human-subjects research certifications, so your evaluation work slots cleanly into your organization's IRB process.
• Mixed-methods analysis — quantitative (pre/post, quasi-experimental, multi-level where appropriate) and qualitative (interviews, focus groups, observations) combined to tell the whole story.
• Formative feedback — mid-year memos and check-ins so findings help the program improve before the final report.
• Technical reports and executive summaries — the same evidence, told at the right level of detail for each audience.
• Interactive dashboards when useful — for programs with recurring data streams.

Programs we've evaluated

Over the last three decades, Edstar has served as internal or external evaluator for programs funded by the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, state education agencies, and major foundations. Our portfolio includes GEAR UP, Math Science Partnership, ATE (Advanced Technological Education), ITEST (Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers), NOYCE teacher preparation, Teacher Quality Partnership, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Title III, CURES, URES, ExLENT, Burroughs Wellcome Fund SSEP, Healthy Start, Smaller Learning Communities, and many state- and district-led initiatives such as NC DPI Dropout Prevention and the NC DJJDP Support Our Students program.

What you'll get

• An evaluation design aligned with funder requirements from the start
• Instruments that produce clean, analyzable data
• Analyses run by senior methodologists — not handed to juniors
• Findings written to be read, not filed
• A partner who returns your emails