Using Standardized Exams For Formative Program Evaluation

Systematic program evaluation is important for assessing nursing program quality and achievement of outcomes. Both summative and formative program evaluation have unique value and purpose, but most program evaluation literature to date has focused on summative methods. The purpose of this article is to describe a formative program evaluation method using standardized exam data that was established by an assessment and evaluation committee in a pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Suggestions for how to use the results to support student achievement of program learning outcomes and program-level attainment of benchmarks are discussed. (C) 2021 Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.