Program Evaluation & Research

Evaluation and Research That Turn Evidence Into Action

J. Wyatt Legal and Consulting designs evaluation and research processes that answer two essential questions: What is happening, and what should decision-makers do with what the evidence shows? We combine quantitative and qualitative methods to assess implementation, outcomes, participant experience, program quality, compliance, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Mixed-Methods Program Evaluation

Our evaluations are tailored to the governing grant, program model, research questions, performance measures, and local implementation environment. Depending on the engagement, methods may include:

Logic-model and evaluation-framework development
Process and formative evaluation
Outcome and summative evaluation
Quantitative data analysis
Surveys and questionnaires
Interviews and focus groups
Structured observations and site visits
Document and implementation reviews
Performance-measure and GPRA-related analysis
Data-quality and validation procedures
Coding, triangulation, and qualitative synthesis
Continuous-improvement recommendations
Interim, annual, and final evaluation reporting

Evaluation for K-12 and Out-of-School-Time Programs

For K-12 and out-of-school-time initiatives, evaluation may examine implementation fidelity, participation and dosage, academic performance, attendance, behavior, engagement, family participation, staffing, partnerships, service quality, and progress toward grant-specific and federal performance measures. We structure data requests and reporting so that site-level realities can be understood while district- or portfolio-level findings remain consistent and comparable.

Research & Organizational Analysis

Evaluation is one part of a broader research capability. J. Wyatt Legal and Consulting also supports needs assessment, organizational research, policy and regulatory research, utilization studies, stakeholder research, environmental scans, institutional effectiveness, and data-informed planning. Findings are presented in formats designed for leadership decisions, implementation planning, public accountability, and funder reporting.

Data Integrity and Responsible Reporting

Credible evaluation depends on disciplined data practices. Our approach emphasizes consistent definitions, documented collection protocols, validation, reconciliation, quality review, appropriate aggregation or de-identification, and transparent discussion of limitations. We seek to create an auditable connection from source evidence to reported findings and recommendations.

PROJECT ALIGN — NSF K-12 STEM EVALUATION

J. Wyatt Legal and Consulting served as external evaluator for Project ALIGN, a National Science Foundation-funded K-12 initiative involving 15 schools across three local school districts. The work included NSF-aligned evaluation design, implementation and outcome assessment, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, stakeholder reporting, and continuous-improvement recommendations.