PROGRAM EVALUATION IN KANSAS (FROM PROGRAM EVALUATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, 1979, BY ALBERT C. HYDE AND JAY M SHAFRITZ - SEE NCJ-64272)

• NCJ Number: 64276
• Author(s): J H BREWER
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: Praeger Publishers
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

STATE PROGRAM EVALUATION IN KANSAS IS DISCUSSED AND ITS PROMINENT IMPACT ON DECISIONMAKING ANALYZED.

Abstract

PROGRAM EVALUATION BEGAN IN KANSAS IN 1871 WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE DIVISION OF POST AUDIT, A UNIT OF THE LEGISLATURE, WAS ESTABLISHED. THE UNIT WAS GIVEN THE TRADITIONAL FINANCIAL ADUIT RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN AUDIT AGENCY AS WELL AS RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVALUATING THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS WITH WHICH STATE PROGRAMS ARE RUN. MOST AUDITS PRODUCED BY THE UNIT HAVE BEEN USED BY THE LEGISLATURE, SINCE THE AUDITS ARE CONDUCTED FOR AND AIMED PRIMARILY AT A LEGISLATIVE AUDIENCE RATHER THAN THE AUDITED AGENCIES. THE DIVISION ALSO ENTERS THE POLITICAL PROCESS BY EXPLAINING ITS WORK TO DECISIONMAKERS AND BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SUBJECTS WHEN NEEDED. THIS ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF DECISIONMAKERS HAS PROBABLY BEEN MOST IMPORTANT TO MAKING THE WORK USEFUL. ANOTHER REASON FOR SUCCESS IS KANSAS'S INTERIM COMMITTEE SYSTEM WHICH CONSIDERS A LIMITED NUMBER OF CAREFULLY DEFINED PROPOSALS ANNUALLY BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS. THESE COMMITTEES PROVIDE THE LEGISLATURE WITH ITS MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES AND LEGISLATION FOR CONSIDERATION DURING THE SESSIONS. THE DIVISION ALSO MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHANGE PROGRAMS AND OFFERS ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION TO THE LEGISLATURE. TWO IMPORTANT CAVEATS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS RESULT OF DIVISION EXPERIENCES: THE RELEASE OF AUDITS SHOULD BE TIMELY, ALLOWING ADEQUATE CONSIDERATION BEFORE DECISIONS ARE REQUIRED; AND AUDIT AGENCY STAFF WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS MUST BE CAREFUL TO REMAIN OBJECTIVE AND NOT BECOME ADVOCATES OF AN AUDIT'S RECOMMENDATIONS. SINCE THE DIVISION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REMAINING OBJECTIVE AND EFFECTIVE, KANSAS IS NOW CONSIDERING PROCEDURES THAT WOULD REQUIRE COMPLIANCE OR AGENCY TESTIMONY UNDER OATH ON REASONS FOR NOT COMPLYING WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS. THIS PROCESS WILL GIVE THE LEGISLATURE A DEFINITE BASIS FOR ACTION. VARIOUS STEPS USED IN THE AUDITING PROCESS ARE DETAILED. (MJW)