In order that all students' needs are met and teachers receive the kinds of support necessary to achieve the objectives of the Dance 10, 20, 30 curriculum, evaluation of the program is essential. Program evaluation is a systematic process of gathering and analyzing information about some aspect of a school program in order to make a decision or to communicate to others involved in the decision-making process. Program evaluation can be conducted at two levels: relatively informally at the classroom level or more formally at the classroom, school, or school division levels.

At the classroom level, program evaluation is used to determine whether the program being presented to the students is meeting both their needs and the objectives prescribed by the province. Program evaluation is not necessarily conducted at the end of the program, but is a continuous process. For example, if particular lessons appear to be poorly received by students, or if they do not seem to demonstrate the intended learnings from a module of study, the problem should be investigated and changes made. By evaluating their programs at the classroom level, teachers become reflective practitioners. The information gathered through program evaluation can assist teachers in program planning and in making decisions for improvement. Most program evaluations at the classroom level are relatively informal, but they should be done systematically. Such evaluations should include identification of the area of concern, collection and analysis of information, and judgement or decision making.

Formal program evaluation projects use a step-by-step problem-solving approach to identify the purpose of the evaluation, draft a proposal, collect and analyze information, and report the evaluation results. The initiative to conduct a formal program evaluation may originate from an individual teacher, a group of teachers, the principal, a staff committee, an entire staff, or the central office. Evaluations are usually done by a team so that a variety of skills are available and the work can be distributed. Formal program evaluations should be undertaken regularly to ensure programs are current.

To support formal school-based program evaluation activities, Saskatchewan Education has developed the Saskatchewan School-Based Program Evaluation Resource Book (1989) to be used in conjunction with an inservice package. Further information on these support services is available from the Assessment and Evaluation Unit, Saskatchewan Education.