What type of evaluation is typically conducted at the end of a program to assess its effectiveness?

Summative evaluation is the type of assessment conducted at the end of a program to evaluate its overall effectiveness. This process measures the outcomes and impacts of a program, often through comprehensive data collection and analysis, to determine whether the objectives of the program were met. It provides stakeholders with insights regarding the effectiveness and success of the program after it has been implemented, allowing for a clear judgment about its value and whether it should continue, be modified, or be discontinued.

Formative evaluation, on the other hand, occurs during the program's development or implementation phase. It is designed to provide ongoing feedback that can be utilized to improve the program as it unfolds. Feedback assessment generally refers to gathering opinions or comments from participants, which may take place at various times rather than specifically at the conclusion. Iterative evaluation involves repeated cycles of assessment and refinement, typically conducted throughout the development and execution of a program, rather than as a final assessment of its effectiveness. Thus, summative evaluation is distinctly positioned as the conclusive measure of a program's success.