Evaluating the Benefits of Lifelong Learning: A Framework. The Wider Benefits of Learning Papers.

This document presents the key principles underpinning effective evaluations as applied to policy initiatives in the field of lifelong learning (LL) and the various methods available to implement them. The following are among the topics discussed in Chapters 1-6: (1) the distinction between monitoring, modeling, and evaluation and considerations in classifying interventions; (2) types and styles of evaluation in LL (evaluating implementation; evaluating impact, linking implementation to impact; the systems approach to evaluating LL); (3) outcomes from LL interventions (immediate outcomes and measuring the impact of LL policies); (4) designs for impact evaluation (defining the target population; selecting controls; sampling); (5) estimating impact using statistical modeling (fundamental issues; embedding control into the research design, creating control in the analysis; modeling outcomes at different levels); and (6) cost-benefit analysis (CBA) (benefits of learning; ascribing monetary values to the benefits of education; costs of learning; methods of calculation; CBA of the voucher scheme; uses and abuses of CBA). Chapter 7 summarizes the preceding chapters and offers 11 recommendations. Fourteen tables/figures are included. The bibliography lists 80 references. The following items are appended: an annotated list of 13 data sources for monitoring LL; a systems representation of a LL program; and the Stufflebeam scheme of evaluation comparisons. (Contains 80 references and 14 tables/figures.) (MN)