CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Formative evaluation is designed to assess a program while it is being developed and implemented. It focuses on providing feedback during the development process, aiming to improve the program before it is fully executed. By examining aspects such as program activities, participant engagement, and overall processes, formative evaluation enables health educators and program developers to make timely adjustments.

For instance, if data collected during a formative evaluation reveals that participants are not fully engaging with a particular component of the program, changes can be made to enhance participation and effectiveness. This type of evaluation is not intended to measure outcomes or the overall impact of the program; rather, it is about guiding improvements during the implementation phase.

In contrast, summative evaluation is conducted after program implementation to assess its overall effectiveness and outcomes. Impact evaluation determines the long-term effects of a program on the target population, while process evaluation examines the implementation process itself but typically focuses on adherence to protocols rather than providing feedback for adjustment during the ongoing program.