Practical Measurement

Within the field of measurement and evaluation there are two common forms of resources: those aimed at monitoring outputs of programs (e.g., number of training sessions implemented or number of beneficiaries impacted) and those aimed at highly rigorous impact evaluations such as randomized controlled trials. However, while these resources are valuable, they do not address many practitioners’ immediate purpose to go beyond simply monitoring outputs and to measure actual changes in children and adolescents. Recognizing the need for something that is driven by and focused on the needs of practitioners working with limited time and resources in low-resource and fragile contexts, the Practical Measurement module focuses on equipping practitioners with the knowledge and resources to develop rigorous yet feasible measurement initiatives. 

Designed with this in mind, these modules focus on four key parameters—appropriateness, utility, feasibility, and rigor—that practitioners should consider when attempting to measure children and adolescents’ learning and development. Pulling on over a decade of experience working on measurement and evaluation in low-resource, conflict-affected, and fragile contexts, Dr. Nikhit D’Sa, from the University of Notre Dame's Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child, guides users through the self-paced modules, sharing practical measurement and evaluation guidance, insights, tips, and resources. Explore the modules in any order you wish, collect Dr. D’Sa’s recommendations on additional measurement and evaluation resources from global organizations, and begin to develop a plan to simply and effectively measure and evaluate children and adolescents’ outcomes in your context.