A Guide to SSIP Evaluation Planning - Developing Evaluation Questions

Oct 15, 2026

A Guide to SSIP Evaluation Planning supports IDEA Data Center technical assistance providers in helping state staff and stakeholders plan State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Phase II evaluation. It outlines nine planning steps, from aligning Phase II with Phase I and defining the evaluation team, to linking activities with outputs and outcomes via an evaluation logic model. The guide covers evaluation questions, design selection, data collection strategies, analysis plans, and approaches for sharing and using results, reinforced by corresponding worksheets.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Steps in Planning an SSIP Evaluation

Step 1. Understand Phase II Evaluation Plan in Relation to Phase I

Step 2. Identify the Evaluation Team

Step 3. Link Activities to Outputs and Outcomes (e.g., by Creating an Evaluation Logic Model)

Step 4. Develop Evaluation Questions

Step 5. Select an Evaluation Design

Step 6. Identify Data Collection Strategies

Step 7. Develop Plans for Data Analysis

Step 8. Plan to Share and Use Evaluation Results Along the Way

Step 9. Develop a Timeline

Corresponding Worksheets

A Guide to SSIP Evaluation Planning Authors: Tamara Kimkoff, Tom Fiore, Jessica Edwards February 2020 The IDEA Data Center (IDC) created this document under U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant number H373Y190001 . Richelle Davis and Rebecca Smith serve as the project officers. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service, or enterprise mentioned in this publication is intended or should be inferred. This product is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. For more information about the IDEA Data Center’s work and its partners, [see](see www.ideadata.org)[ ](see www.ideadata.org)[www.ideadata.org](see www.ideadata.org). Suggested Citation: Nimkoff, T., Fiore, T., and Edwards, J. (2020, February) . A Guide to SSIP Evaluation Planning. IDEA Data Center. Rockville, MD: Westat. Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Steps in Planning an SSIP Evaluation ..................................................................................................................... 2 Step 1. Understand Phase II Evaluation Plan in Relation to Phase I.......................................... 2 Step 2. Identify the Evaluation Team.................................................................................................... 2 Step 3. Link Activities to Outputs and Outcomes (e.g., by Creating an Evaluation Logic Model) ............................................................................................................................. 3 Step 4. Develop Evaluation Questions................................................................................................. 3 Step 5. Select an Evaluation Design ......................................................................................................4 Step 6. Identify Data Collection Strategies......................................................................................... 5 Step 7. Develop Plans for Data Analysis .............................................................................................. 5 Step 8. Plan to Share and Use Evaluation Results Along the Way.............................................6 Step 9. Develop a Timeline ....................................................................................................................... 6 Corresponding Worksheets ....................................................................................................................................... 7 SSIP Evaluation Worksheet 1: Definitions ........................................................................................... 7 SSIP Evaluation Worksheet 1: Definitions (continued) .................................................................. 8 SSIP Evaluation Worksheet 2: Logic Model-Chart Format............................................................ 9 SSIP Evaluation Worksheet 3: Logic Model-Graphical Format (No Arrows) ........................10 SSIP Evaluation Worksheet 4: Logic Model-Graphical Format (Illustrating the Use of Arrows) ................................................................................................................ 11 SSIP Evaluation Worksheet 5: Outcomes in Relation to Evaluation Questions ..................12 SSIP Evaluation Worksheet 5: Outcomes in Relation to Evaluation Questions (continued) .............................................................................................................................. 13 SSIP Evaluation Worksheet 6: Outcomes by Evaluation Question and Performance Indicator .....................................

FAQs

Who is the guide intended to help use it during SSIP evaluation planning?

The guide is designed for IDEA Data Center technical assistance providers to use when assisting state staff and other stakeholders in planning SSIP evaluation, with worksheets meant to support that partnership approach.

What do Steps 1–9 cover in SSIP evaluation planning?

They cover alignment of Phase II with Phase I, defining the evaluation team, linking activities to outputs and outcomes through a logic model, developing evaluation questions, selecting an evaluation design, identifying data collection and analysis plans, and planning how to share and use results, including a timeline.

How are worksheets used in the planning process?

The document includes corresponding worksheets (e.g., definitions, logic model formats, outcome-to-question mappings, and data collection and analysis schedules) to operationalize planning elements described in the steps.

Oct 15, 2026

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