The goal of evaluation at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) is to ensure that all training programs are effective, relevant, and current. Evaluating the effectiveness of training is paramount to the success of any training program. The Evaluation and Analysis Division continuously collects data on what has been taught, what has been learned, and what information and skills are critical to high-quality law enforcement officers/agents.

To ensure programs are upgraded based on empirical results, the FLETC uses a rigorous three-part evaluation system to measure the participants' learning, gauge the students’ views of training, and assess former students and their supervisors’ value of the training after students have gained some experience on the job. This system, known as FATES, was designed and is managed by the EAD.

FATES is a multi-faceted system that encompasses three levels of evaluation from the Kirkpatrick model of educational evaluation. The three levels (and measures) are: Level I (reaction), Level II (learning), and Level III (behavior). The Student Feedback System (SFS) is the FATES mechanism for Level I evaluation; the Automated Testing System (ATS) and the Practical Exercise Assessment System (PEAS) deal with Level II; and the Continuous Validation Process (CVP) satisfies Level III. For more information about FATES and its associated subsystems, click on the appropriate links to the left.

Levels of Training Evaluation

Program and Needs Analysis