|
OIR assists clients in developing evaluations for new and ongoing projects. Evaluation varies greatly in scope, ranging from straightforward satisfaction surveys to expansive quasi-experimental studies. Evaluation techniques include online, mail, and phone surveys, focus groups, and interviews. We work with clients to ensure that each evaluation, whether small or large, is meaningful, user-friendly and produces usable results.
Example:
Oldham Innovative Research has evaluated two large Early Reading First Grants in Portland, ME and Methuen, MA. Early Reading First is a federal initiative that closely examines children’s language and literacy skills two years prior to Kindergarten. To determine if classroom practices have made a difference, OIR’s team of trained data collectors evaluate child growth and development using child assessment instruments and program appraisal. In becoming an integrated part of the Early Reading First teams, OIR provides important input and data to strengthen the outcome of early literacy for young children.
Sample Document:
 Document One. Early Reading First factsheet
Many clients are aware that research around their area of interest exists but they rarely have the time to use research to better inform their project(s). OIR assists clients by finding trends and data that have been tried and tested through research to help programs make better implementation decisions. OIR specializes in making research information palatable to the non-researcher through the use of visuals and real-life examples.
Example:
OIR has assisted Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts in the development of a statewide early childhood quality rating system. Part of the development stage was create an understanding of what other states have done to successfully implement a quality rating systems. OIR worked with a team of experts to better understand the research around quality rating systems and to help the aforementioned states gather enough information to inform their decisions around the statewide implementation of a quality rating system.
Sample Document:
Document Two. Quality Rating System Factsheet
OIR staff successfully works with different teams to develop proposal responses on local, state and national levels. OIR helps their clients to develop organized logic models that maps out goals and objectives which lay the foundation for grant development. OIR also writes and incorporates comprehensive evaluation plans into proposals. Evaluation plans are required by most grants.
Example:
OIR assisted the Sanford School Department to secure funding for the Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant, a federal Department of Education three million dollar multi-year project. OIR’s comprehensive logic model was a unique aspect of the grant and the blueprint for the project. This particular logic model was produced collaboratively with the members of the Sanford Safe Schools/Healthy Students collaborative.
Sample Document:
Document Three. Sanford Safe Schools Logic Model
OIR provides technical assistance to help clients interpret gathered data and how to best implement their project results in their program. Other areas of technical assistance include understanding and use of logic models, project data, and child and classroom assessments as well as project implementation and improvement, OIR’s extensive field experience makes technical assistance a meaningful and useful tool.
Example:
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care contracted OIR to provide technical assistance to Massachusetts programs receiving Universal Pre-Kindergarten funding. Using skills and experience from child assessment projects with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, OIR implemented a child assessment system for these programs. . OIR helped the programs find appropriate training, interviewed clients to find their ideas for optimal project success, and tracked the programs’ successes and challenges to inform future potential grantees.
Sample Document:
Document Four. Recommendations for Implementing a Child Assessment System in Massachusetts
OIR has a cadre of trained data collectors for use in project evaluations and technical assistance projects. OIR staff has been trained to assess classroom environments using a variety of Environmental Rating Scales, including the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale™ and the Early Language and Literacy Classrooms Observation (ELLCO). Staff has also been trained to administer individual child assessments in a respectful and conscientious manner that recognizes children’s interests and developmental stages. Data collectors are also trained in conducting phone and in-person interviews, a skill that allows OIR to complete projects on tight timelines. Once data is collected, OIR analyzes the data in ways that best suit the client. Staff then produces fact sheets or other data summaries that can be used by clients for program improvement and fund raising.
Example:
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health hired OIR to develop a database of child care health consultants in Massachusetts. Previously, the department had no way of knowing the names and affiliations of child care health consultants around the state. In two months, OIR data collectors called thousands of child care programs and developed a comprehensive and useful database.
Sample Document:
Document Five. Mental Health Services in Early Childhood Factsheet
|
