This document summarizes an annual international social work conference session on assessing and evaluating international programs. The session will include presentations by Philip McCallion and Margaret Lombe, followed by discussion among the panelists and audience. The panelists will discuss evaluating components of international exchanges, incorporating reciprocity into evaluations, gaps in current evaluations, and steps to improve evaluations. They will also discuss evaluation and assessment instruments currently in use.

1. Assessment and Evaluation of International Programs 2 nd Annual International Social Work Conference Boston 2008

2. Facilitator Sally Mathiesen, Ph.D., LCSW Associate Professor in the San Diego State University School of Social Work

3. Session Overview Introduction of Panelists Philip McCallion’s presentation Margaret Lombe’s presentation Comments among all panelists Open for discussion with audience

4. Philip McCallion, Ph.D., ACSW Professor in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar and Mentor Director of the Institute for Social Services Research and Development Within the institute, Dr. McCallion directs the Center for Excellence in Aging Services and the NIDA-funded Child Welfare, Drug Abuse and Intergenerational Risk Research Center.

5. Margaret Lombe, Ph.D. Assistant Professor in the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work Faculty Associate at the Center for Social Development at Washington University.

6. Topics for Discussion What components of an international exchange should be included in an evaluation? How can reciprocity be incorporated into evaluation efforts? What are the gaps in evaluation of international exchanges? What steps are needed to improve evaluation efforts? What evaluation instruments (process, outcome) are currently in use? What assessment instruments (for students, field supervisors, etc.) are currently in use?