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Definitions of Need
• the gap or discrepancy between a present state (what is) and a desired end state (What should be)
(Kaufman, Witkin & Altschuld)
0CurrentState
DesiredState
MEANS
END END
Definitions of Need
• Need as a verb: What is required or desired to fill the discrepancy - solutions, means to end
What is a Needs Assessment?
• a systematic set of procedures undertaken for the purpose of setting priorities and making decisions about program or organizational improvement and allocation of resources. The priorities are based upon identified needs. (Witkin & Altschuld)
What is NA?
• A tool for determining valid and useful problems which are philosophically as well as practically sound. (Kaufman & English)
Why Conduct NA?
• Obtain valid and reliable information
• to build a case for funding (example)
• sets criteria for determine how best to allocate resources
• to get buy-in from the stakeholders
Why Conduct NA ?
• Regulations or laws mandates
• Resource allocation and decision-making
• assessing the needs of specific underserved subpopulation
• As a part of program evaluation
Levels of Needs - Stakeholders
• Level 1: service receivers: students, teachers
• Level 2: Service providers and policymakers: teachers, SEAs, LEAs
• Level 3: Resources or solutions: buildings, facilities, computers
Three-Phase NA
• Preassessment - Exploration
• Assessment -Data Gathering
• Postassessment- Utilization
Preassessment
• to investigate what is already known
• to determine the focus and scope of the assessment
• to gain commitment for all stages of the assessment
Secondary Data
• archival data and current wisdom– demographics– achievement scores– census data
• current literature
Data Collection Methods
• Survey
• Interviews
• Group Processes– Community Forum– Nominal Group– Focus Group– Modified Delphi
Content of Technology NA
• skills, knowledge and attitudes
• access to information services
• staff development programs
• Inventory of Hardware and Software
• Technology support staffing
Content of Technology NA
• networking and telecommunication requirements
• budget and funding resources
• facilities
Interviews
• structured
• semi-structured
• open-ended
• face to face and telephone
• best for key informants
Focus Group
• group size: 12+-
• length of time: 40 minutes to 3 hours
• best for: information from select or homogeneous groups
Sampling
• Simple Random Sampling
• Convenience Sampling– Quota– Interval– Judgment– Systematic– Snowball
Judgment Sampling
• Using the knowledge of experts to select a sample
• Disadvantage: Subjective, could be biased
Sampling Size TableSampling Error Sample Size Sampling Error Sample Size
1.0 10,000 5.5 330
1.5 4,500 6.0 277
2.0 2,500 7.0 204
2.5 1,600 7.5 178
3.0 1,100 8.0 156
3.5 816 8.5 138
4.0 625 9.0 123
4.5 494 9.5 110
5.0 400 10.0 100
SEIR*TEC Needs Assessment Overview
• Faculty and Staff
• Young Child (K-3)
• Student Questionnaire (4th - 12th)
• Parent Questionnaire
• School Community Questionnaire
• Administrators’ Supplement
• Technical Supplement
Assessment
• Determine context, scope, and boundaries of NA
• Gather data on needs
• Set preliminary priorities on needs- Level 1
• Analyze and synthesize all data
Reporting:Common mistakes:
– not documenting findings– not providing findings in useful formats– not disseminating findings
Reporting: Contents
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Discussions
• Conclusions and Recommendations
• References
Postassessment
• Set priorities on needs at all applicable levels
• Consider alternative solutions
• Develop an action plan to implement solutions
• Evaluate the NA
• Communicate results
Tips
• Ensure broad-based Stakeholder participation
• Choose appropriate means of data gathering
• Recognize core values in the group
• Make NA a participatory process
Tips
• Do not ignore political factors
• Make NA a decision-making process
• Make NA an on-going process
References
• Witkin, B. R. & Altschuld, J. W. (1995). Planning and conducting needs assessments, Sage Publications.
• Soriano, F. I. (1995). Conducting Needs Assessments, Sage Publications.
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