“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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