Consejo del Sector Privado para la Asistencia Educacional [COSPAE] training evaluation

The evaluation covers the period 9/87-3/91. Significant progress has been made during Phase I of the project, which focused on strengthening COSPAE's technical and administrative capabilities prior to initiating short-term training activities. A new computer system has greatly improved COSPAE's financial management capacity and is also used to develop information for evaluating training programs and preparing follow-up activities; maintaining lists of potential funding sources and clients; and developing promotional and publicity material. COSPAE has benefitted greatly from strategic planning services provided by a U.S. consulting firm. However, the exercises conducted to date have dealt primarily with defining the organization's goals and purposes, without determining the activities required to reach these aims. COSPAE has been an outstanding fund-raiser when using traditional Panamanian methods, such as dinners, expositions, and direct contributions. COSPAE has also obtained TA to improve both its traditional fund-raising efforts and to develop project development skills to attract international assistance. The addition of a highly skilled training coordinator has enhanced COSPAE's capacity to organize and implement U.S. and Panamanian short-term training. However, the coordinator lacks familiarity with the kinds of U.S. institutions and programs supported by COSPAE -- a weakness which should be corrected immediately. COSPAE has also developed a number of successful procedures for implementing its training programs, though these still need to be documented. A clearly defined follow-up program for returned participants is also needed. COSPAE was unable to carry out planned observation visits to U.S. educational institutions due to increased demands on COSPAE leaders after the change of government in Panama. Procedures have been developed for both international and local contracting, but neither of these has been officially approved by the COSPAE Board of Directors.