Enacted Practices Evaluation Model. Research Report No. 75-07-97.

The Enacted Practices Evaluation Model (EPEM) is an accountability system for "promised" program practices. Evaluating programs in terms of implemented treatment (i.e. enacted practices) in ways that yield valid and reliable results for accountability purposes is among the most vexing challenges in the field of program evaluation. Evaluations conducted by internal staff provide economies and efficiencies that come with organizational familiarity whereas external experts in the target program's content area provide credibility and objectivity. This paper presents the organizational structure and operational procedures of an accountability system, the EPEM, that adheres to the "Program Evaluation Standards" and maximizes the contributions of institutional resources and procured expert services. As implemented in the Prince George's County (Maryland) school system, the EPEM involves three school district areas (Magnet School Program Office; School District Research, Evaluation and Accountability Office; and magnet school supervisory and instructional staff) and a set of external content expert evaluators. Responsibilities of these four entities are keyed to the "Program Evaluation Standards" and its areas of utility, feasibility, propriety, and accuracy. (Contains 2 figures and 10 references.) (Author/SLD)