Evaluation report of the Georgetown University Central American scholarship program (CASP) for USAID/LAC/EST

External evaluation covers the period 1985-10/89. GU has introduced a new and valuable approach to A.I.D. participant training programs, demonstrating that a heretofore relatively underserved population can be provided with cost- effective U.S. training that broadens their perspective and enhances their stature back home. To date, the program has provided training for 322 long-term and 202 short-term participants at 21 community colleges and training institutions throughout the United States. The program has resulted in new employment opportunities for trainees, with 84% of short-term and 73% of long-term alumni currently employed. Field sites in the Central American countries facilitated the process of recruitment, selection, and follow-up. All this has been accomplished while keeping administrative costs to a minimum and limiting program costs to $1,000 per student per month - largely by providing the training at small community colleges and by relying extensively on volunteers and junior professionals. On the negative side, existing promotion, recruitment, and selection procedures constrain overall program quality and efficiency by encouraging a disproportionately large number of unqualified or overqualified candidates; more attention needs to be paid to the perspectives of country coordinators and local members of the selection committee. In addition, despite the high employment rate for returned participants, many find the value of the courses limited by the generality of their content and by the heterogeneity of the trainee groups. Incoming students' ignorance of English has been a major constraint to providing quality training. Many participating community colleges had to reduce the vocational-technical program in order to provide trainees with English-language training. In fact, many alumni may have found work because of the English-language, rather than the vocational-technical skills, they acquired during the program. In sum, the program has made a good beginning, but now needs to mature by improving administration and program content.