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The AEA's Evaluation Policy Initiative aims to influence government policies to enhance the scope, quality, and effectiveness of evaluations in public programs. This initiative focuses on defining evaluation, methods used, resources available, and the role of evaluators. It also highlights the impact of evaluation policy on program effectiveness, service quality, and professional practice. The initiative includes consultative campaigns, public presence efforts, proactive and reactive activities, and broad input from AEA members.
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AEA’s Evaluation Policy Initiative 2007 AEA National Conference Baltimore, Maryland Hallie Preskill, 2007 President William Trochim, 2008 President
What Is Evaluation Policy? Action or Inaction by Government Policy Makers and Others That Affect • How evaluation is defined • When it gets employed • On what programs • What kind of methods are used • Who does it • What resources are available for it • How it is used • And much more
Why Is It Important? Evaluation policy affects • The scope and nature of evaluations that are performed • The effectiveness and efficiency of public programs which are or are not evaluated • The quality of services and benefits that beneficiaries and the public at large receive • Our professional practice
Some Examples • Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) • Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) and ExpectMore.gov • HHS one percent evaluation set-aside for many health and human services programs • Federal education evaluation requirements for • High risk testing • Randomized experimental designs for evaluating program effectiveness
What Can AEA Do About It? • Many evaluation policy decisions are made without the systematic input and advice of evaluators • AEA is well positioned to be the source of such advice • AEA Board creates the Evaluation Policy Task Force (EPTF) • Two year charge • Reports to the AEA Executive Committee
EPTF Goal To assist AEA in developing an ongoing capability to influence evaluation polices that are critically import to the practice of evaluation
Evaluation Policy Task Force Members • Eleanor Chelimsky • Leslie Cooksy • Katherine Dawes • Patrick Grasso • Susan Kistler • Mel Mark • Stephanie Shipman • William Trochim, Chair • George Grob (Consultant)
How Will the EPTF Work? • Consultative Campaign • Public Presence Initiative • Proactive and Reactive Activities
Consultative Campaign • Scan emerging Federal legislative, regulatory, and administrative policies to identify targets of opportunity • Brief congressional and executive staff about the value of evaluation and how to effectively use it • Network with contacts in government that can assist AEA in influencing evaluation policy • Respond to requests for input on policy formulation
Public Presence Campaign • Materials. Develop collateral materials, e.g. white paper, brochures, AEA Guiding Principles • Consultations. Consult with evaluators and others experienced in policy development • Talking Points. Advise consultant on talking points on evaluation and its potential • Website. Advise on AEA website enhancements for policy influence • Policy Scan. Establish a policy scanning system f to increase awareness of important policy developments.
Proactive and Reactive • Target a few specific legislative and executive policies • Focus on selected substantive areas • Be appropriately opportunistic
Responsibilities and Participation • Broad input from and consultation with AEA Members • EPTF will guide the initiative and make policy recommendations to the AEA Executive Committee and Board • The Consultant will assist and support the EPTF and be the lead on implementation
Next Steps • Identify highly influential evaluations • Learn from • Experienced Evaluators • Professional Organizations • Establish “Policy Scan” function • Prepare briefing kits • Consult with experienced federal evaluators • Meet the policy makers • Congressional • Executive Branch • Identify evaluation policy opportunities
Staying In Touch • Email: Evaluationpolicy@eval.org • Website: http://www.eval.org/EPTF.asp