2004-2005 Learn and Service RFP Q&A

Q. What areas require performance measures?

A. Under part 3 program design of the RFP there are three areas noted: (1) needs and activities, (2) participant development and (3) strengthening communities. You must provide one measure for each area. You may utilize the www.projectstar.org to assist you with developing your performance measures, however, you need not attach these worksheets to your proposal. The performance measure may be summarized in the narrative in each area. Below are descriptions that describe what each performance measure should address.

1. Needs and Activities/Getting Things Done objectives relate to the direct services your members do (e.g., tutoring, crisis counseling, building houses, or trail maintenance) and need to reflect impact on beneficiaries that is measurable within one year.
   
   
2. Participant Development/ Member Development objectives should indicate the services Learn and Serve participants provides for community members (e.g., training, career counseling) and how members change because of those services.
   
   
3. Strengthening the Community objectives should relate to increasing and sustaining resources within your community (e.g., volunteer recruitment, building collaborations, or providing education about services).

Example Performance measure: Needs and Activities
150 local high school juniors and seniors will provide tutoring in reading to 450 elementary school students three times per week throughout the academic year, in three local elementary schools, resulting in tutored students improving their reading ability, as measured by Pre-Post standardized reading level tests and Post-Tutoring Teacher Surveys. 75 percent of 450 students will improve at least 0.5 reading level from pre- to post-reading level tests and teachers will report that they have noticed improvement in at least three areas of reading-related academic performance in at least 75 percent of tutored students, from the beginning of the academic year to the end.

This performance measure was generated by utilizing the www.projectstar.org interactive worksheet.. To access this site

1. Go to www.projectstar.org
2. Click on the Learn and Serve Logo
3. Click on Performance Measurement Assistance
4. Click on objectives
5. Click on Interactive Objectives Worksheet
6. Follow directions.

Q. What is the difference between a performance measure and a measurable outcome?

A. The Performance Measure is a way of determining or measuring the performance of the program and demonstrates that the measurable outcome was achieved. Performance measures are utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of the program based on what was stated in the measurable outcome.

The Measurable Outcome is the quantifiable goal set for the program. (ie. How many students participated, number of hours served, number of individuals impacted, increase in test scores).