Concept Mapping: An Approach for Evaluating a Public Alternative School Program

Objective: This article describes how concept mapping techniques were applied to evaluate the program development of a solution-focused, public alternative school program. Method: Concept systems software was used to create 15 cluster maps based on the statements generated from students, teachers, and school staff. Additionally, pattern matches were analyzed to examine the degree of consensus between the different groups and represent the level of agreement on the content of the cluster maps. Results: Findings appear to support the fidelity of the solution-focused approach in the practice of the alternative school as evaluated by the perceptions of the teachers, administrators and staff. Additionally, what students thought were important in helping them achieve academic success were clusters that centered around relationships and future goals. Teachers, administrators, and staff also viewed relationships as important, but they rated more concrete aspects of the school and goal-setting as being more important. Conclusions: Concept mapping appears to be a useful program evaluation methodology for school social workers to consider and a valuable tool for examining complex problems and solutions within school organizations.