Evaluation in Six Steps

Six Step Process for SRTS Program Evaluation 1. Plan the program/Collect information 2. Write objectives 3. Decide what, how and when to measure 4. Conduct the program and monitor progress 5. Collect information and interpret findings 6. Use results

Ideally, planning a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program and planning its evaluation are done together. For local programs just starting to talk about SRTS, it is the right time to be thinking about how progress and results will be measured. If a local program has already spent time developing a plan and collecting information about what is happening that is related to walking and bicycling to school, then the first step of evaluation most likely has occurred even if no one considered it to be evaluation.

A six step process for conducting an evaluation is described in detail in this section. Program implementers may choose to record their local program information on the downloadable blank worksheet. An example school is used to demonstrate how an evaluation might be planned using the worksheet.