Author(s): John P. Comings and Lisa Soricone

Institutional affiliation/Agency/Program: National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy, Harvard Graduate School of Education; San Francisco State University

Publication date or date of most recent update: March 2006

Number of pages: 179

Website URL: http://www.ncsall.net/fileadmin/resources/research/op_comings4.pdf

Type of product (lesson plans, curriculum, training product): a monograph designed to provide guidance to program staff, researchers, and policymakers on program models for quality and research-based practice

Key words: program models, quality models, evidence-based practice

Target population: Instructors, Administrators, Researchers, and others.

Training required: NA

Abstract: This paper describes program models and related elements which researchers and practitioners might use to identify and evaluate effective interventions in adult education programs.  The authors describe four components of program models that are essential to building a strong and accountable infrastructure.  The program model includes a program quality support component and three chronological program components:  entrance into a program, participation in a program, and re-engagement in learning.  These components lay the foundations for the principles that are elaborated upon in the paper.  Based on the program model components, principles, professional wisdom, and evidence, the authors develop a Research Site Identification Protocol that researchers and practitioners might use to assess programs for research and accountability practices.

What the experts say: The research, theories, professional wisdom, and conclusions were sound and informative. I would like to implement the Research Site Identification Protocol because it reflects a common set of criteria for characterizing and evaluating program practices. I plan to use this tool to collect data for local adult education program assessment. I also plan on using this document as a resource for adult education study and research.