Training in dealing with child abuse in schools : problems in evaluating course effectiveness

Teachers play an important part in identifying child maltreatment but find dealing with it difficult. This study examines the problems involved with evaluating a county wide training programme on this topic for senior teachers. The course was run 17 times and sixty per cent of the participants attending were sent an evaluation questionnaire three months after taking part. There was a 49% response rate. It was found the activities the participants undertook after the course were a greater reflection of the effort required than of the effectiveness of the course. It is argued this factor should be taken into account when conducting and interpreting any course evaluation.