Certification Examination Practice

Illinois Educational Program Evaluator Certification Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which primary purpose best reflects the role of an educational program

evaluator in Illinois?

• Approve school funding allocations
• Design all district curricula
• Assess program effectiveness and guide improvement
• Supervise classroom instruction

Answer: C

Rationale: Evaluators examine program processes and outcomes to

determine effectiveness and inform improvements, not supervise or design curriculum.

2. A logic model typically includes: 1 / 4

• Student test scores only
• Inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes
• Teacher certification records
• Facility maintenance schedules

Answer: B

Rationale: Logic models outline program resources, actions, immediate

outputs, and intended outcomes.

3. Formative evaluation is best used to:

• Determine final program worth
• Improve a program during implementation
• Certify evaluator credentials
• Assess long-term sustainability

Answer: B

Rationale: Formative evaluation supports ongoing adjustments during the

program cycle.

4. Summative evaluation focuses on:

• Recruiting staff
• Assessing overall program success after completion
• Daily operational decisions
• Drafting state policy

Answer: B

Rationale: Summative evaluation measures final effectiveness and

outcomes after the program concludes. 2 / 4

5. The most appropriate first step in an evaluation plan is:

• Collect all available data
• Develop survey instruments
• Clarify evaluation questions and purposes
• Identify stakeholders

Answer: C

Rationale: Defining evaluation questions guides all subsequent planning

and data selection.

6. A stakeholder is any individual who:

• Funds the program exclusively
• Has no interest in the outcomes
• Is affected by or involved in the program
• Has formal evaluation training

Answer: C

Rationale: Stakeholders include those impacted, involved, or influencing

program decisions.

7. The most rigorous method for establishing causal impact is:

• Case study
• Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
• Observation
• Correlational analysis

Answer: B 3 / 4

Rationale: Random assignment best controls for confounding variables,

strengthening causal inference.

8. When randomization is not feasible, evaluators often use:

• Coin toss decisions
• Quasi-experimental designs
• Genetic algorithms
• Daily journaling

Answer: B

Rationale: Quasi-experimental designs approximate causal inference when

randomization cannot occur.

9. Reliability refers to:

• The extent to which an instrument measures what it intends
• Program cost efficiency
• Consistency of measurement
• Stakeholder alignment

Answer: C

Rationale: Reliability concerns the repeatability of measurements across

applications.

10. Validity refers to:

• How well a tool measures what it claims to measure
• Number of test items
• Ease of administration
• / 4