Development of an Evaluation Scale to Measure Participant Perceptions of After-School Enrichment Programs

Development of the Scale for Program Facilitators to Assess the Effectiveness of After School Achievement Programs

“…These items are consistent with the stated objectives of after school programs: scholastic development (e.g., Baker & Witt, 1996;Davis, 2001;Miller, 2003;Nash & Fraser, 1998;Sanacore, 2002;Schlatter et al, 2003), social behavior (e.g., Davis, 2001;Miller, 2003;Sanderson, 2003;Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds, 2001), caring environment (e.g., Davis, 2001;Hamilton & Klein, 1998;Sanderson, 2003;Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds, 2002), and personal inspiration (e.g., Davis, 2001;Sanacore, 2002;Sanderson, 2003;Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds, 2002;Williams et al, 2003). The developed SPF is very reflective of the content of the evaluation scale developed by Zhang et al (2002) that measures student perceptions of after school enrichment programs. Scholastic Development and Caring Environment factors are consistent with the School and Community 162 ZHANG ET AL.…”

“…Properly conceived evaluation systems can not only provide information on student achievement, but also improve the environment in which students are engaged. Recognizing that feedback from program attendees would be essential to assess program quality to encourage continued participation, Zhang, Smith, Lam, Brimer, and Rodriquez (2002) developed an evaluation scale to measure student perceptions of after school enrichment programs. Through a review of literature, administering open-ended surveys, test of content validity, in-154 ZHANG ET AL.…”

Psychometric Properties of the School Liking and Avoidance Questionnaire in a Turkish Preschool Sample

“…Following these procedures, a pilot run was conducted with 19 children to evaluate the scale's comprehensibility. Given the developmental characteristics of pre-school age children and the fact that they don't read or write, researchers have suggested that different scale designs are required to minimize situations that may interfere with young children's responses (Harter & Pike, 1984;Lewis & Lindsay, 2000;Zhang, Smith, Lam, Brimer, & Rodriquez, 2002). One of these is the addition of pictorial representation to scale items in order to facilitate the response of children (Hanna, Risden, Czerwinski, & Alexander, 1999;Mantzicopoulos, French, & Maller, 2004).…”

Enhancing the Quality of After-School Programs through Effective Program Management

“…For instance, Zhang, Smith, Lam, Brimer, and Rodriquez (2002) developed an evaluation scale to measure participant perceptions of and satisfaction with after-school enrichment programs. Numerous researchers (e.g., Deslandes & Potvin, 1999;Grolnick, Kurowski, Dunlap, & Hevey, 2000) have also indicated that parental involvement is an important aspect of effective education programs throughout a child's education.…”