What is a primary purpose of program evaluations?

The primary purpose of program evaluations is to determine if the program's goals are being met. This involves systematically collecting and analyzing information about a program's activities, effectiveness, and outcomes. By assessing whether the established goals are being achieved, program evaluations provide valuable insights that can inform stakeholders about the program's impact and areas that may need improvement.

Understanding program effectiveness is crucial for continuous development and ensuring that resources are used efficiently. Evaluations can help guide decision-making for future initiatives, support accountability, and foster transparency among funders, staff, and the community. This focus on goal attainment sets a foundation for organizational growth and better service delivery.

In contrast to this, other options may pertain to aspects that are influenced by program evaluation but do not represent its primary purpose. Budgeting is typically informed by evaluation results but is a separate activity related to financial planning. Recruiting new staff may be a component of program management but is not the central focus of evaluations. Similarly, expanding physical facilities may arise from program growth and success but does not directly relate to evaluating program effectiveness. Therefore, focusing on whether the program's goals are being met encapsulates the core intent of program evaluations.