| Session Title: Practical Applications of the AEA Public Statement on Cultural Competence in Evaluation |
| Think Tank Session 209 to be held in Pacific D on Thursday, Nov 3, 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM |
| Sponsored by the AEA Conference Committee |
| Chair(s): |
| Cindy A Crusto, Yale University, cindy.crusto@yale.edu |
| Presenter(s): |
| Denice Cassaro, Cornell University, dac11@cornell.edu |
| Arthur Hernandez, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, art.hernandez@tamucc.edu |
| Donna Mertens, Gallaudet University, donna.mertens@gallaudet.edu |
| Veronica Thomas, Howard University, vthomas@howard.edu |
| Discussant(s): |
| Katrina Bledsoe, Education Development Center Inc, katrina.bledsoe@gmail.com |
| Jenny Jones, Virginia Commonwealth University, jljones2@vcu.edu |
| Karen E Kirkhart, Syracuse University, kirkhart@syr.edu |
| Katherine Tibbetts, Kamehameha Schools, katibbet@ksbe.edu |
| Elizabeth Whitmore, Carleton University, ewhitmor@connect.carleton.ca |
| Abstract: In 2005, the AEA Board approved a proposal to craft a Public Statement on Cultural Competence in Evaluation, which was a result of the Building Diversity Initiative (BDI). The BDI was an effort of the AEA and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation begun in 1999 to address the needs and expectations concerning evaluators working across cultures and in diverse communities. A Task Force of AEA's Diversity Committee developed a statement that affirms the significance of cultural competence in evaluation and identifies essential practices for cultural competence. This statement was, by design, not a "how to" guide. The translation of principles into practice remains an important next step. This session discusses the practical application of concepts in the statement. The session first overviews the statement, followed by panelists who provide practice examples that illustrate aspects of the statement, and group discussion in which attendees reflect on the statement, presentations, and their work. |