Since early 1983, the management team I assembled in the Office of Field Services has made significant improvements in the timeliness and quality of program evaluation. There are three significant innovations and reforms that I would like to bring to your attention.

(1) We have phased out the old annual report formula,
and have instituted a policy that program reports
must be based not just on desk audits or file
reviews, but on the findings of an on-site
independent evaluation team. We have required
that all evaluation teams, except in unusual
circumstances, be comprised not just of LSC staff
but also include independent consultants. This
guarantees that fresh, objective viewpoints are
brought to bear in the Corporation's evaluation
of recipient programs. It implements in a formal
policy the statutory language of "independent

evaluations."

(2) In the 18 months since March, 1983, we have
received 230 reports based on the findings of 199
Regional Office and 45 headquarters teams. The
remaining 14 reports are currently under
preparation. Approximately 150 of these reports

(3)

were independent evaluations,

and resulted from

visits conducted by an independent team composed according to the guidelines noted above.

To reduce the backlog of overdue program reports in our largest regions, we have detailed staff from other Regional Offices on a temporary basis assist in completing our

to

responsibilities.

mutual

We project that by the end of calendar 1984, we will have completed a visit and program report for every recipient during the preceding 24 months.

Thus, the Corporation is producing almost as many reports today as it did at the time of maximum staffing. What is different is that a much higher percentage of current program reports are independent evaluations, based on on-site visits performed by balanced, objective monitoring teams. This represents a significant reform in the Corporation's

responsibility.

handling of its statutory monitoring

9

that

You also asked for numbers of visits cancelled, and the reasons for cancellation. We have provided information where it is available (See Tab 5).

However,

we do not maintain, on a systematic basis, any information on the cancellation of visits. Visits may be cancelled as the result of illness, docket changes, or because a monitoring office just cannot get a qualified team assembled in time. In general, however, we prefer to cancel a visit rather than compromise on the quality or preparedness of the monitoring team.

The

information on Regional Directors meetings is provided at Tab 6. It excludes a listing for the Regional Directors meeting scheduled for October 11. That meeting has been postponed. Progress on the agenda items has been delayed as a result of staff time spent preparing this

information.

DEFINITIONS