10.02 - Outcomes Assessment | Park District of Oak Park CAPRA Accreditation

Standard: The agency shall use evaluation results to assess the outcomes of park and recreation programs, services, and facilities and assess the operational effectiveness of the organization. Outcomes show the relationship between resource inputs and the resulting impacts and benefits of the outputs. Outcomes are measurable changes in behaviors, attitudes, knowledge, conditions or skills.

Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide examples of how evaluation results are used to determine levels of performance and effectiveness in the organization and how evaluation are used to determine if specific programs, services or facilities are achieving planned or projected results.

Informational reference in the Management of Park and Recreation Agencies, (2010), 3rd Ed., Chapter 8 – Recreation Program Planning, p. 151; Chapter 9 – Program Services and Event Management, pp. 167-171; Chapter 23 – Evaluation and Action Research, p. 642.

Agency Evidence of Compliance:

The Park District uses evaluation results to assess whether or not its programs and services are achieving the desired outcomes. Many of these outcomes are tracked through the Park District's performance measurement program, with the results analyzed quarterly and at the end of each year against annual targets¹.

Additionally, the Park District uses other forms of outcome assessments to determine if participants are meeting program objectives as designated in the Park District's Recreation Programming Plan². Outcome assessments come in the form of evaluation results, skill development assessments, and other documentation of outcomes through participation. Results from these assessments are also used to help staff determine if any adjustments are needed to the class curriculum.

Documentation:

Agency Self Assessment: MET