The statement "Program participants' mean scores on the Standard Parenting Skills Scale at program completion will be significantly higher than their mean baseline scores" exemplifies what type of statement?

This statement reflects an outcome objective, as it outlines a specific, measurable outcome that the program aims to achieve by its completion. Outcome objectives are critical in social work and program evaluation because they focus on the expected changes resulting from program participation. In this case, the goal is to demonstrate that participants have improved their parenting skills, as indicated by higher mean scores on the Standard Parenting Skills Scale post-program compared to their baseline scores.

Outcome objectives are designed to assess the effectiveness of a program by comparing pre- and post-intervention data, providing clear criteria for success. The phrasing emphasizes a significant increase in scores, which indicates a measurable change that can be statistically verified, allowing for an assessment of the program's impact on participants’ skills.

In contrast, the other options refer to different aspects of program planning and evaluation: program participation commitment would denote an agreement or pledge by participants; a process statement would describe the methods or activities involved in delivering the program; and an evaluative criterion pertains to the standards used to assess the effectiveness of the program, which is not directly what the given statement is communicating.