program and project evaluation

program and project evaluation Sec. 401. (a) (1) The Secretary shall measure and evaluate the impact of all programs authorized by this Act, in order to determine their effectiveness in achieving stated goals in general, and in relation to their cost, their impact on related programs, and their structure and mechanisms for delivery of services, including, where appropriate, comparisons with appropriate control groups composed of persons who have not participated in such programs. Evaluations shall be conducted by persons not immediately involved in the administration of the program or project evaluated. (2) In carrying out his responsibilities under this subsection, the Secretary, in the case of research, demonstrations, and related activities carried out under section 202, shall, after taking into consideration the views of State agencies designated pursuant to section 101, on an annual basis— (A) reassess priorities to which such activities should be directed; and (B) review present research, demonstration, and related activities to determine, in terms of the purpose specified for such activities by subsection (a) of section 202, whether and on what basis such activities should be continued, revised, or terminated. (3) The Secretary shall, within 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and on each April 1 thereafter, prepare and furnish to the appropriate committees of the Congress a complete report on the determination and review carried out under paragraph (2) of this subsection, together with such recommendations, including any recommendations for additional legislation, as he deems appropriate. 87 Stat. 387 (b) Effective July 1, 1974, before funds for the programs and projects covered by this Act are released, the Secretary shall develop and publish general standards for evaluation of the programs and project effectiveness in achieving the objectives of this Act. He shall consider the extent to which such standards have been met in deciding, in accordance with procedures set forth in subsection (b), (c), and (d) of section 101, whether to renew or supplement financial assistance authorized under any section of this Act. Reports submitted pursuant to section 404 shall describe the actions taken as a result of these evaluations. (c) In carrying out evaluations under this title, the Secretary shall, whenever possible, arrange to obtain the specific views of persons participating in and served by programs and projects assisted under this Act about such programs and projects. (d) The Secretary shall publish the results of evaluative research and summaries of evaluations of program and project impact and effectiveness no later than ninety days after the completion thereof. The Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress copies of all such research studies and evaluation summaries. (e) The Secretary shall take the necessary’ action to assure that all studies, evaluations, proposals, and data produced or developed with assistance under this Act shall become the property of the United States.