The relevance of the CIPP evaluation model for educational accountability

Abstract

The CIPP Evaluation Model was originally developed to provide timely information in a systematic way for decision making, which is a proactive application of evaluation. This article examines whether the CIPP model also serves the retroactive purpose of providing information for accountability. Specifically, can the CIPP 140del adequately assist educators, after the fact, to account for their decisions and actions? If so, the CIPP Model is a powerful tool for making and implementing decisions and for post hoc accounting for those decisions and actions. The remainder of the article describes the CIPP Model, presents a conceptualization of accountability, and analyzes the potential of the CIPP Model for meeting the information requirements of accountability. (Author)