Final answer:
Evaluations are forwarded to stakeholders involved in the program, such as program managers and funders. These reports can lead to improvements, funding decisions, and strategic planning, and findings are sometimes published in scholarly articles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evaluation upon completion is generally forwarded to stakeholders who are invested in the outcomes and implications of the assessment. Stakeholders can include program managers, funders, and others who play a role in program implementation and decision-making. In an educational setting, evaluators like Drs. Pruitt and Barile, who were contracted to assess a local service agency's program, would complete an evaluation report. This report would typically be shared with the agency's leadership, funding bodies, and possibly the participants involved in the evaluation process. The report can influence decisions such as program improvements, continuation of funding, and strategic planning for the future.
It is important that the evaluation maintains integrity and independence to avoid misrepresentation of data and unethical alterations. The participation of all stakeholders, including those assisting in outreach or those interpreting survey results, is crucial for the success of the evaluation project. The lesson learned is that effective participation at all stakeholder levels is necessary, not just from those at the leadership or those requesting the evaluation.
Sometimes, reports are also published in scholarly articles, as was the case with the American Journal for Community Psychology, which enhances broader academic and community understanding of the program's outcomes.