In your response, comment mainly on the validity and reliability of the data collected for the purpose of their program evaluation and possible alternative ways of collecting data.

Background Information:

 

The Broward Debate Initiative is a collective effort across the District's K-12 public schools to engage students in organized Speech and Debate competition and build research and social skills. The initiative was first implemented in the 2012-2013 academic year as a high school program, and now every middle and high school in Broward partakes in Debate. Currently, around 15,000 students participate in the District's debate program, the largest in the United States. Broward County is the nation's sixth biggest school system and the second largest in the state of Florida.

The program is provided by the Applied Learning department which develops some of its programs for Civic Engagement. Students can take courses as early as Elementary school, earn high school credits in middle school, and compete at the local, state, and national level as part of this program. Public school teachers and volunteers as well as the Broward School District Civic Engagement staff are the stakeholders who facilitate and maintain the program.

Purpose of Evaluation:

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the Debate Initiatives effectiveness in achieving its goal,which include improvement student' research and social skills, improvement literacy, increasing GPAs and graduation rates, and expanding opportunities for a college scholarships and civic engagement.

Involved Stakeholders:

Stakeholders include students, parents, coaches, and volunteers.

Main Data and Rationale:

The primary data collecting tools will be agency records, which will cover enrollment and participation, performance, comparisons between participants, graduation, and success to provide historical data. Further data gathering will involve field observations, interviews, and questionnaires to provide qualitative insights and real-time feedback.

Some of the central evaluation questions are:

• How effectively does the program enhance literacy skills among participants?
• To what extend does involvement in the Debate Initiative lead to increased civic engagement?
• In what way does the program influence students college admission rates?