Future Evaluator Education: Unleashing Talents to Enhance Education and Strengthen Communities

Abstract Information: Future evaluator education is necessary to ensure competency and the continued success of the field. A recent needs assessment of 13 early childhood education (ECE) centers will be used as a case study to highlight what can happen when we unleash the talent of future evaluators and elevate their voices in the evaluation process. These 13 ECE centers are in two rural, underserved counties in a southern state. The centers had reported an uptick in challenging behaviors in the 0-5 age group in the past few years due in part to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the strengths and needs of the ECE centers to address behavioral issues through (1) access to mental health services and (2) the skills and abilities of the ECE teachers in supporting the social-emotional development of their young students. Seven Masters of Social Work (MSW) students led this evaluation effort during the 2023-2024 academic year to meet the needs of a coalition of community partners. In previous academic years, MSW students conducted small and rarely utilized evaluations at their internship sites. This previous teaching method was problematic for several reasons, so a change in the program evaluation curriculum was needed. The benefits and challenges of this experiential teaching approach will be explored from the perspective of the community partners and the MSW students. In addition to academic growth, the students had the opportunity to make a real impact while bridging the gap between services needed in the community and a large academic institution in the area. This experience allowed them to apply the knowledge and skills they learned in their degree program in a practical setting while positively impacting the community.