Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025
Hi, I am Janet Arogundade (University of North Carolina, Greensboro), a Ph.D. student in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation (Program Evaluation Track).
When I registered for the Evaluation and Public Policy course, I thought we would primarily be delving into technical frameworks or government guidelines. I didn’t anticipate leaving with the realization that evaluation is closely related to issues of voice, power, and purpose.
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that evaluation policies are not neutral. They determine what is measured, whose results are prioritized, and whose perspectives are valued. As a research assistant, I collect data and report stories that reflect the lived experiences of people whom I serve. I’ve learned that how we frame our questions or summarize our report can unintentionally silence or amplify diverse perspectives. I’ve started to see voice not as mere inclusion but as representation. Seasoned evaluators like Teasdale et al have noted that “a lot of it really does come down to values, highlighting that evaluation is inherently shaped by what we prioritize and care about.” Understanding that my role as an evaluator isn’t neutral but to represent the voice of the people I serve intentionally reminds me that evaluation is centered on the value of what and who matters.
I also realized that evaluation policies are much more than paperwork. They impact an organization’s culture. There’s tension in today’s landscape; evaluators and researchers have to compromise or adjust by removing certain constructs from programming and reporting to stay compliant. Even while they comply with policy requirements, they can limit the true representation of participants’ experiences. This taught me that while funders and policies often define success, evaluators have the potential to shape meaning through how we interpret and represent data, a reminder to balance learning and accountability.
Another takeaway was how policies connect micro-decisions to big systems. The evaluation policy of a school district connects not just to local assessments, but also ties into state mandates, funding sources, and national education agendas. Understanding these layers as an emerging evaluator sharpened my sense of purpose, not just to collect data but to translate lived experiences into evidence that supports equitable and more responsive systems.
Given the increasingly political discussions surrounding evidence, accountability, and equity in today’s climate, these insights feel especially urgent. Evaluation policies are being rewritten, sometimes limiting what can be measured or restricting language related to diversity.
For me, this course made it clear to me that my approach to voice, power, and purpose will determine the type of evaluator I will become, someone who actively listens, questions assumptions, and uses evidence to promote learning and accountability.
In a Keynote Address presented at the 2002 Australasian Evaluation Society International Conference, Jennifer Greene challenges evaluators to see their work as a “public craft,” reminding us that listening well and paying attention to values are important aspects of serving the public good.
The American Evaluation Association is hosting APC TIG Week with our colleagues in the Advocacy and Policy Change Topical Interest Group. The contributions all this week to AEA365 come from our AP TIG members. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this AEA365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the AEA365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an AEA365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to AEA365@eval.org. AEA365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. The views and opinions expressed on the AEA365 blog are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the American Evaluation Association, and/or any/all contributors to this site.