Discusses the role of evaluation both in improving programs and in determining program effects. Explains how to conduct a strong and methodologically rigorous evaluation and discusses additional factors policymakers and practitioners should consider when interpreting the results of home-visiting program evaluations. (SLD)

Suggests four criteria (efficiency, return on investment, incentives, and equity) for evaluating and comparing public programs for poor children, and provides an overview of information available on eight large federal programs using these criteria. Positive effects of some programs are noted, and policy recommendations the evidence supports are…

Reviews types of evaluation that may be applied to school-linked services; and discusses the needs for a range of evaluative strategies for program providers, policymakers, and funders. For some programs evaluation will be primarily descriptive, whereas for others a carefully designed outcome evaluation will be possible. (SLD)