Module Two
ARTIFACT 3A: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
SUBMIT TO INSTRUCTOR AND TO TASKSTREAM
This artifact will be submitted to me to grade.
 After I have graded it and returned it to you with
suggestions for revisions, you should make
revisions and then upload into TaskStream.

WHAT IS A NEEDS ASSESSMENT?
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A form of evaluation that assesses the nature,
magnitude, and distribution of a social
problem; the extent to which there is a need for
intervention; and the implications of these
circumstances for the design of the
intervention.
 Evaluation:
A Systematic Approach, Rossi, Lipsey,
and Freeman, 2004
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
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It’s often a first step in planning a new program
STEPS IN ANALYZING NEED
3.
Identification of users and uses.
Description of the target population and
service environment.
Need identification.
4.
Need assessment.
5.
Communication.
1.
2.
 Need
Analysis: Process and Techniques, Jack
McKillip, 1998
STEPS IN CONDUCTING NEEDS ASSESSMENTS
Clarify the purpose of the needs assessment
 Identify the population
 Determine how you will conduct the needs
assessment
 Design a survey instrument
 Collect data
 Analyze data
 Use the results
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http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/grants/needs.pdf
EXAMPLES OF NEEDS ASSESSMENTS
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Survey
Paper/Pencil
 Electronic (ex. Zoomerang)

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Focus Group
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Example of meeting agenda
 Introduction
of purpose and participants
 Ask participants for their views on the issue
 Probe for reasons behind their views
 Ask for ideas to overcome barriers
 Debrief and wrap up
Evaluation: A systematic approach, Rossi, Lipsey, and Freeman, 2004
CREATE GOOD QUESTIONS

Consider ordinal scale questions (an ordered
set of answer categories)
 Examples
:
Levels of satisfaction (completely satisfied, very
satisfied, somewhat satisfied, not at all satisfied) or
 Frequency of behaviors/events (all of the time, most of
the time, some of the time, none of the time)
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING QUESTIONS
Make sure the question applies to the respondent
 Make sure the question is technically accurate
 Ask one question at a time
 Use simple and familiar words
 Use as few words as possible to pose the question
 Use complete sentences with simple sentence
structures
 Make sure “yes” means yes and “no” means no

Pages 79-88 of Surveys-The Tailored Design Method by
Dillman, Smyth, and Christian
OTHER TIPS
Guidelines for Questionnaires and
Surveys:
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Keep them short, people should be able to
complete them in 15 minutes or under
State why you are asking for their
response, (e.g. their opinion is important
to you)
Note that their responses are confidential
Thank them up front, be appreciative of
the time and effort they will take
Make your questions clear, avoid
confusion over wording or interpretation
Pilot test your instrument to be sure of its
clarity
Use rating scales, or a yes/no answer
format
Include questions about people’s job
status, e.g., years on the job, age, gender,
etc.
http://www.fsu.edu/~truancy/needs.html
Guidelines for Focus Groups and
Interviews
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Select a group appropriate to your needs
Explain your purpose, time and place of
meeting
Send reminder letter
Develop a set of questions, grouped in
categories, keep it to a vital few
Appoint a time keeper, respect people’s time
Start the meeting with an explanation its
purpose, how it will be conducted
Emphasize that all questions are valid and
welcome, there are no right or wrong
answers
State that this is not the place for answers
or resolutions
Keep to the time, end promptly, thank
people, promise to send results in
appropriate
SAMPLE INSTRUMENTS

http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/grants/needs.pdf
 See
Sample Three on last page
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/schooltransfo
rmation/assessments/school-rubric.pdf
 http://www.nhscholars.org/SchoolBusiness%20How_to_Guide.pdf
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 See
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pages 24 and 25
http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprevention/dow
nload/pdf/Measure_of_school_etc.pdf
ARTIFACT 3A – NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Reference pages 44-48 of the MELS Handbook.
 The candidate will lead the Stakeholder
Involvement Plan (SIP) Team in conducting a
needs assessment to determine the gaps in
communication between the internal and external
communities and potential opportunities for
involvement of these two communities in decisions
that have a direct effect on the community and the
schools.
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(CONTINUED)
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The needs assessment should include a
background description of the setting, a clear
statement of the purpose of the needs
assessment, a list of participants who participated
during the needs assessment process and at what
stage of the process the participants were active,
an analysis of the findings, a set of
recommendations that identifies avenues of
communication that will be established, and a set
of recommendations that includes both short-term
and long-term objectives to establish the SIP.
EXPECTATIONS AND EVIDENCES

Module 2 Expectations and Evidences for
Artifacts
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

Remember to always work closely with your
school administrative team as you complete
your assignments. Seek their advice as you
work through your artifacts.
DUE DATE
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September 25, 2011
Module Two
NEEDS ASSESSMENT