Using evaluability assessment to improve program evaluation for the Blue-throated Macaw Environmental Education Project in Bolivia

ABSTRACT

An evaluability assessment of a program to save a critically endangered bird helped prepare the Blue-throated Macaw Environmental Education Project for evaluation and program improvement. The evaluability assessment facilitated agreement among key stakeholders on evaluation criteria and intended uses of evaluation information in order to maximize the utility of an evaluation. Developing a logic model and other activities helped stakeholders agree on program objectives, program description, evaluation options, key evaluation questions, and an evaluation plan. Conducting this low-cost exploratory evaluation exercise before an actual program evaluation is a good strategy to improve program implementation quality and to wisely allocate evaluation resources, particularly for programs with limited budget, staff, or expertise.

Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to the Asociación Civil Armonia and their staff and collaborating teachers and partners for sharing their expertise and valuable time with us. We thank the editor and three anonymous reviewers for their very helpful review.