Evaluating the benefits of lifelong learning - Ian Plewis

The second paper in the Wider Benefits of Learning Papers series sets out a framework for evaluating interventions which are designed to promote lifelong learning and to produce wider economic and non-economic benefits. This framework will assist policy makers and service providers in their quest to obtain sound evidence that can be used to make informed judgments about the efficacy and value of policies and programmes. The paper covers different types of evaluation and signposts relevant publications in the field. It emphasises the quantitative methods needed both to measure the impact of interventions and then to translate estimates of impact into costs and benefits for society as a whole. The paper ends with a set of recommendations for organisation, conduct and reporting that could be applied to evaluations in a number of policy areas.