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Session Title: State-level Evaluation Policy: A Call for Dialogue
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Panel Session 455 to be held in California C on Thursday, Nov 3, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
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Sponsored by the Evaluation Policy TIG
and the Government Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Maria Whitsett, Moak, Casey & Associates, mwhitsett@moakcasey.com
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| Discussant(s):
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| Maria Whitsett, Moak, Casey & Associates, mwhitsett@moakcasey.com
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| Abstract:
With many state governments engaging in sweeping educational, economic, environmental, health, and social policy changes, questions related to impact---especially the value of systematic, high quality evaluation of program and policy impact---are increasingly important to state-level policy makers, administrators and the public-at-large. Evaluation policy sets the stage for how evaluation is practiced, yet little is known about how states differentially adopt evaluation policies and practices to assess the impact of state-sponsored programs and services. This panel presentation explores issues related to state-level evaluation policy, considering the following questions: What is the role of evaluation policy at state/provincial levels of governance? How do states vary in the types of evaluation policies adopted and how evaluation functions are conceptualized, structured, and housed? What values might influence state-level evaluation policy-making? Should evaluators play an advocacy role in shaping state-level evaluation policy? How might state-level policy-making influence the quality of evaluation work?
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Conceptualizing State-level Evaluation Policy
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| Rakesh Mohan, Idaho State Legislature, rmohan@ope.idaho.gov
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This presentation will introduce the topic of state-level evaluation policy. A conceptual overview will include discussion on: 1.) the relevance and importance of state-level evaluation policy work; 2.) the political context in which state-level evaluation policies are developed and implemented; 3.) the role of state-level evaluation policy; 4.) the embedded nature of evaluation units and evaluation policies; 5.) the potential of state-level evaluation policy to influence state sponsored programs and services.
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Analytic Comparison of State-level Evaluation Policy
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| Kristin Kaylor Richardson, Western Michigan University, kkayrich@comcast.net
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This presentation will build on previously presented conceptual material, discussing specific examples of state-level evaluation policy work. States will be compared on a range of variables reflecting evaluation policy work. Implications of comparative findings will be discussed and will include practical, actionable suggestions to strengthen state-level evaluation policy.
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The Administrative Capture of Evaluation
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| Saville Kushner, University of the West of England, saville.kushner@uwe.ac.uk
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This presentation will discuss the shift of control over the evaluation function from those without the administrative system into the administrative system itself, through stipulation, contracting and internal functional development. This shift has gathered pace over the past 15 years. It has been most marked in the field of international development. I will discuss the implications of this for deliberations over public value.
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