Program Inquiry

Program Inquiry

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Evaluation Standards A



“Principles should proactively guide the behaviors of professionals in everyday practice.” (American Evaluation Association) 

An evaluation should adhere to a set of principles or standards of practice. My evaluation of the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board’s Bullying and Cyber – Bullying Prevention Plan as it relates to the treatment of the LGTBQ community adheres to the five guiding principles as set forth by the American Evaluation Association. Those five principles are as follows: Systematic Inquiry, Competence, Integrity/Honesty, Respect for People, and Responsibilities for General and Public Welfare. Find the Link to the Principles as set forth by the American Evaluation Association Here. Better Evaluation also explains evaluation principles and their importance Here.

“A. Systematic Inquiry: Evaluators conduct systematic, data-based inquiries.” (American Evaluation Association)

My evaluation has a variety of manners in which to collect data. There are qualitative and quantitative assessments. Within said types of assessments are: focus groups, expert and participatory observations, surveys, and evaluations of policy. Most importantly, throughout the evaluation, intended users participate and provide feedback in each step of the process. They are actively involved in everything from the focus groups to website creation and finally the delivery of results.

“B. Competence: Evaluators provide competent performance to stakeholders.” (American Evaluation Association)

The evaluation will be undertaken with the greatest of care over a reasonable amount of time (one school year) with regular and irregular reporting of data and delivering of feedback. Experts, as well as the evaluator, will provide support for all stakeholders involved. Also, I understand that some of the topics concerned with the evaluation are sensitive in nature and that dealing with young people with such delicate subjects that surround diversity is challenging. As such, I enlist the help of experts in the field, teachers and school staff when examining and implementing programs. 

“C. Integrity/Honesty: Evaluators display honesty and integrity in their own behavior, and attempt to ensure the honesty and integrity of the entire evaluation process.” (American Evaluation Association)

It is very important to conduct an evaluation with the utmost desire to improve the program and that is what this evaluation has set out to do. Involving stakeholders at every level provides me with insight otherwise unattainable into both the policy and the affect it has on the LGTBQ community. Furthermore, the evaluation has a number of manners to collect a range of data. This ensures that there will be a more balanced approach to the evaluation, which is significant when it comes to topics such as treatment of those in the LGTBQ community.

“D. Respect for People: Evaluators respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents, program participants, clients, and other evaluation stakeholders.” (American Evaluation Association)

The purpose of the evaluation itself is to, “attempt to foster social equity.” (American Evaluation Association) The goals of this evaluation are to disseminate information that leads to a decrease in reported cases of bullying and cyber-bullying of those in the LGTBQ community and to examine the effectiveness of policy that leads to a decrease in reported cases of bullying and cyber-bullying of those in the LGTBQ community. Understanding the sensitive nature of the subject, I will seek to involve intended users and experts in the evaluation so to create a higher level of understanding and comfort among stakeholders, as such fostering a heighted sense of dignity and self-worth among respondents, clients, program participants and other stakeholders.

“E. Responsibilities for General and Public Welfare: Evaluators articulate and take into account the diversity of general and public interests and values that may be related to the evaluation.” (American Evaluation Association)


This evaluation’s foremost goal is to improve the overall welfare of the interests of the general public. Its desire is to enhance both respect for diversity and the public’s understanding of a marginalized group of young people. Specifically, being that the primary organization to which the evaluation is a being performed for (client) is the PVNCCDSB, a government organization, the evaluation has the greater good of the public in mind and will work hand-in-hand with stakeholders to be in a position to make decisions that take into consideration, “the welfare of society as a whole.” (American Evaluation Association)

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