Tracking evidence of program activities, often called "outputs,” is done to monitor the degree to which activities and processes are implemented as intended. This type of information can give you a picture of who you are reaching, who you are not reaching, what activities might not be working, and how activities change over time. This information can be useful to share with your partners, participants, community, and funders.
A helpful starting point is to consider what information is currently collected, what new information would be relevant, and how you will collect it. In some cases, existing information can be repurposed.
Outputs and outcomes are used together to measure a program’s reach and results. See Process B. Describe Program Design for more information on how to select relevant outputs and outcomes using a theory of change, logical models, and other tools.
Examples of Outputs
Outputs track a program’s activities and processes. Here are examples of outputs to consider in tracking program activities.
Participants
- Number of programs
- Number of participants
- Age of participants
- Gender of participants
- Percentage of participants with special needs
- Primary language of participants
- Zip Codes of participants
Schools and Students
- Names or types of school districts or schools in a program
- Number of classes participating
- Number of repeat participants
- Percentage of participants that qualify for the federal program for free or reduced school meals
- How schools or teachers heard about the program
Volunteers
- Number of volunteers trained
- Number of volunteer hours
- Number of programs delivered
- Demographic information about volunteers
- How volunteer heard about the opportunity
- How many are repeat volunteers
Image
EE Outcomes
Environmental education programs address many types of outcomes. Explore this curated list that keeps eeVAL values and processes in mind.