The Role of Needs Assessment in Program Planning and Evaluation

Abstract

Appropriately interrelating needs assessment strategies with program planning and evaluation efforts aids a school district's abilities to fulfill increasing demands for "accountability." The discrepancy approach to needs assessment facilitates short- and long-term planning processes necessary for effective leadership and flexibility in our rapidly changing culture. Needs assessment may be used to develop program standards as a process of formative evaluation and as a process of summative evaluation. The needs assessment process utilizes principles of organization development, including involvement of all levels of individuals within the organization and developing congruency between individual and organizational needs and goals. Intra-organizational professional growth results from increased interaction and communication by participants using this model.