Policy Statements

AEA is the nation's foremost professional organization in the field of evaluation and provides professional development and guidelines on ethical and professional standards. AEA is an important source of information about the field of evaluation and has worked with Congressional entities and federal executive staff. AEA has made public statements in various forms related to the practice of evaluation.

AEA's Letter to OMB - Priorities in FY2025 R&D Budget

AEA's Letter to OMB - Support for Evaluation Capacity

AEA's Comment on CDC Evaluation Framework

AEA’s Letter on Budget Execution to Strengthen Evaluation Capacity

AEA’s Letter Supporting and Prioritizing Evaluation in the President’s Management Agenda’s Learning Agenda

Letter from AEA on White House Commitment to Include Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Federal Policymaking

Statement on White House OMB Guidance: AEA's reaction to the White House's new guidance regarding evaluation.

AEA Response to OMB RFI: AEA praises the White House Office of Management and Budget for their interest in advancing equity and support for underserved communities.

AEA Letter to NC Leadership: A letter to members of the North Carolina General Assembly regarding the decision to terminate the Program Evaluation Division of the North Carolina Legislature.

Statement on the Role of Independent State Evaluation Offices: AEA responds to ongoing campaigns to minimize evaluation programs and practice nationwide.

Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2014: AEA responds to proposed legislation.

Statement on President Biden’s Prioritization of Evidence-Based Policymaking and Evaluation (2021): This statement brings attention to President Biden's announcement of the importance of evaluation in government policymaking. 

Evaluation Roadmap for a More Effective Government (2016): Developed as the cornerstone to AEA's work in the United States federal sector, the Roadmap as it is known details a plan for quality federal evaluation. Multiple letters and commentary have been drafted based on the Roadmap.

Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2014: AEA responds to proposed legislation.

  • Endorsement of H.B 5754, Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2014: House of Representatives 
  • Endorsement of S.2952, Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2014

Related Materials

Statement on Cultural Competence in Evaluation (2011): This statement of the American Evaluation Association (AEA) affirms the significance of cultural competence in evaluation. It also informs the public of AEA’s expectations concerning cultural competence in the conduct of evaluation.

Educational Accountability Statement (2006): In 2006, as national policy furthered the states' trend toward test-driven judgments of educational quality, AEA issued a public statement on educational accountability and the bibliography developed during its production.

Response to US Department of Education Notice of Proposed Priority on Scientifically Based Evaluation Methods (2003): Drafted in response to a notice in the Federal Register, the AEA response focused on encouraging use of a range of proven evaluation methods, beyond strictly experimental designs.
Related Materials

High Stakes Testing Statement (2002): In 2002, AEA issued a public statement on high-stakes testing, posted here with a bibliography and links to statements by other professional organizations, interested groups, and resources.

EPTF Evaluation Advocacy Efforts (AEA letters to federal policymakers and press releases)

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