AEA PoliciesAmerican Evaluation AssociationAEAThe American Evaluation Association is an international professional association of evaluators devoted to the application and exploration of program evaluation, personnel evaluation, technology, and many other forms of evaluation. Evaluation involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, personnel, products, and organizations to improve their effectiveness. AEA has approximately 7700 members representing all 50 states in the United States as well as over 60 foreign countries.AEA Board of DirectorsJody FitzpatrickPresident (1/12 - 12/14)
University of Colorado Denver,
Denver, CO USARodney HopsonPast-President & Secretary (1/11 - 12/13) Duquesne University,
Pittsburgh, PA USABeverly ParsonsPresident-Elect (1/13 - 12/15) InSites,
Hansville, WA USABrian YatesTreasurer (1/08 - 12/13) American University,
Washington, DC USAChristina ChristieMember-at-Large (1/11 - 12/13) University of California, Los Angeles,
Los Angeles, CA USAJohn GarganiMember-at-Large (1/12 - 12/14) Gargani + Company Inc,
Berkeley, CA USAJenny JonesMember-at-Large (1/11 - 12/13)
Florida A & M University,
Tallahassee, FL USAGeorge JulnesMember-at-Large (1/12 - 12/14)
University of Baltimore,
Baltimore, MD USAJean A KingMember-at-Large (1/13 - 12/15) University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis, MN USAVictor KuoMember-at-Large (1/11 - 12/13) Seattle, WA USAJonathan MorellMember-at-Large (1/13 - 12/15) Fulcrum Corporation,
Ann Arbor, MI USAKathryn NewcomerMember-at-Large (1/12 - 12/14) George Washington University,
Washington, DC USANicole VicinanzaMember-at-Large (1/13 - 12/15) JBS International,
Burlingame, CA USAAEA Publications LeadersThomas SchwandtAmerican Journal of Evaluation
(Editor through 12/13)
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign,
Champaign, IL USAPaul R BrandonNew Directions for Evaluation
(Editor through 12/15) University of Hawaii, Mānoa,
Honolulu, HI USAAEA StaffAmerican Evaluation Association members are served by a dedicated group of headquarters staff based in its Washington, DC office. AEA is pleased to introduce you to the following core staff members. All AEA Staff members can be contacted through info@eval.org or by calling the association headquarters.Denise RoosendaalInterim Executive DirectorLiz GraterOperations ManagerZachary GraysAssociateRyan KromskyOperations AssistantStephanie KusibabCommunication Services DirectorAlexa SchlosserNewsletter EditorLauren KempManager, Education and Learning Services Alex ZappleSenior Coordinator, Event Services Sarah LombardiSenior Manager, Financial Management & Accounting Services Denis JanisSenior Manager, Information Technology ServicesDaniel TadesseSenior Manager, Registration ServicesTo foster an inclusive, diverse, and international community of practice positioned as a respected source of information for and about the field of evaluation.To improve evaluation practices and methods, increase evaluation use, promote evaluation as a profession, and support the contribution of evaluation to the generation of theory and knowledge about effective human action.ExcellenceVALUES: The American Evaluation Association values excellence in evaluation practice, utilization of evaluation findings, and inclusion and diversity in the evaluation community.The Public Goodi. We value high quality, ethically defensible, culturally responsive evaluation practices that lead to effective and humane organizations and ultimately to the enhancement of the public good.Decision-Making Processesii. We value high quality, ethically defensible, culturally responsive evaluation practices that contribute to decision-making processes, program improvement, and policy formulation.Evaluatation Communityiii. We value a global and international evaluation community and understanding of evaluation practices.Evaluation Professionalsiv. We value the continual development of evaluation professionals and the development of evaluators from under-represented groups.Inclusivenessv. We value inclusiveness and diversity, welcoming members at any point in their career, from any context, and representing a range of thought and approaches.DiversityEfficiencyvi. We value efficient, effective, responsive, transparent, and socially responsible association operations.Effectiveness Responsiveness Transparency Social ResponsibilityEvaluatorsAEA will help its members to:1EvaluatorsSpecifically, AEA will work towards achieving the Evaluators Goals Policies through the following activities and programs:
1.1 Annual Conference: AEA will have an Annual Conference. (Goals A-H)
1.1.1 Content for the Annual Conference is primarily identified through a member-driven peer-review process.
1.1.2 Content for the Annual Conference is also identified by the President or her or his Designee for a thematically-focused Presidential Strand.
1.2 Topical Interest Groups: AEA will have Topical Interest Groups. (Goals A-H)
1.2.1 AEA members may belong to up to five TIGs at no additional cost as part of their AEA membership.
1.2.2 AEA will place no limit on the total number of TIGs recognized by the association.
1.2.3 TIGs cannot collect dues independently of AEA.
1.2.4 TIGs will be formed according to board approved procedure 1.
1.3 Community Building: AEA will undertake a range of community-building and member-involvement efforts. (Goals A, H)
1.3.1 AEA will have structured member involvement outreach.
1.4 Communications and Website: AEA will develop and maintain multiple communications vehicles and materials that allow AEA to pursue its Goals Policies. (Goals A-H)
1.4.1 AEA will have an extensive website.
1.4.2 AEA will have a field-wide discussion list.
1.4.3 AEA will have other communications vehicles and materials...
1.6 Awards: AEA will have an Awards Program. (Goals A-H)
1.6.1 The AEA Awards Program will recognize excellence in the field of evaluation.
1.7 Diversity Focused Programs: AEA will offer diversity-focused programs and services. (Goals A, B, D, E, G)
1.7.1 AEA will offer a Graduate Education Diversity Internship Program.
1.7.2 AEA will offer a range of other diversity-focused programs for students and professionals.
1.8 Internationally Focused Programs: AEA will offer internationally-focused programs and services. (Goals A, H)
1.8.1 AEA will designate a representative to a major international organization.
1.8.2 AEA will offer a joint membership program with the Canadian Evaluation Society.
1.8.3 AEA will offer a range of other internationally-focused programs.
1.9 Journals and Peer-Reviewed Content: AEA will offer peer-reviewed content. (Goals B, D, H)
1.9.1 AEA will offer New Directions for Evaluation as part of membership.
1.9.2 AEA will offer the American Journal of Evaluation as part of membership.
1.9.3 AEA will select journal editors in accordance with board approved procedure 3.
1.9.4 AEA will take a variety of approaches to increasing access to other peer-reviewed content.
1.10 Other content: AEA will offer content that is not peer reviewed. (Goals B, D, H)
1.10.1 AEA will offer association-sponsored publications that focus primarily on practice.
1.10.2 AEA will increase access to other materials including electronic resources for practicing evaluators and professional interested in evaluation.
1.11 Professional Development: AEA will offer professional development. (Goals B, C, D, H)
1.11.1 AEA will offer professional development workshops as part of the annual conference.
1.11.2 AEA will offer an Evaluation Institute.
1.11.3 AEA will offer a range of other professional development opportunities.
1.12 Standards and Principles for the Field: AEA will develop, maintain, and promote evaluation standards and principles. (Goals A, B, E, F, G)
1.12.1 AEA will develop, maintain, and promote Guiding Principles for Evaluators in accordance with board approved procedure 4.
1.12.2 AEA will send a Representative to the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation (JCES).
1.12.3 AEA will be involved in the vetting process for new standards in the field.
1.12.4 AEA will also support other programs that promote and advance ethical practice in the field.
Communityform a community that spans culture, discipline, and geography1.AProfessional Developmentdevelop continuously as knowledgeable, effective, culturally competent, contextually sensitive, and ethical professionals1.BLearning & Teachingteach and learn evaluation in diverse professional settings1.CKnowledgedevelop new knowledge about evaluation and disseminate and transfer it widely1.DEngagementuse a multicultural lens to engage diverse communities in evaluation effectively and with respect, and to promote cultural, geographic, and economic inclusiveness, social justice, and equality1.ECommunication & Usepromote communication with and meaningful use of evaluation by stakeholders1.FCapacitydevelop the capacity of communities and organizations to engage in evaluation1.GEnrichmentenrich the life of the association, as well as that of other organizations, fields, and disciplines that are aligned with the association’s mission1.H1.5 Local Affiliates: AEA will have local affiliates. (Goal H)
1.5.1 Local Affiliates will be formed according to the approved procedure 2.
1.5.2 Local Affiliates establish their own criteria for membership; local Affiliate members need not be AEA members.
1.5.3 Local Affiliates are 100% stand-alone organizations. There are no legal or financial ties to AEA, and such Local Affiliate tasks as setting and collecting dues, maintaining finances and data, and monetary flows are all completely separate from AEA.
1.5.4 Local Affiliate status will be reviewed by the Board based on each Local Affiliate’s annual self evaluation and a report from the AEA Executive Director.Evaluation UsersAEA will provide and increase access to resources, and contribute to communities, that enable/support evaluation users to:2Evaluation UsersSpecifically, AEA will work towards achieving the Evaluation Users Goals Policies through the following activities and programs:
2.1 Influencing of Evaluation Policy: AEA will strive to influence the setting and use of U.S. evaluation policy.
2.1.1 AEA will strive to do this primarily through outreach via a paid consultant, who may advocate on behalf of the association for the following items in these or analogous terms:
- A broader and more regular application of evaluation requirements to publicly funded programs;
- The assurance of adequate and consistent funding for evaluation over time and across substantive areas;
- The flexible targeting of the size and scope of evaluations to the context, specific policy questions, and individual stage of development within the lifespan of a particular program;
- A clearer understanding of the need for evaluation not only to determine whether a program or policy is promising, but also to determine the criteria for scaling up or transferring a promising program or policy to new and different locations or contexts;
- More consistent use of qualified evaluators to conduct studies and for the planning and application of evaluation policy;
- Evaluators and agencies will support the use of study designs that best address the specific policy questions posed
- Stronger support for the independence of evaluation as a process/activity, and for the evaluators conducting it; and
- A greater commitment to the transparency and use of evaluation results.Knowledgehave an appropriate knowledge about the multiple ways of doing and using evaluation2.AViewshold positive and realistic views about the roles evaluation can play2.BStandard Practicemake evaluation a standard practice in their organization’s operations2.CEthicsbe sensitive to the ethical issues that are involved in the doing and using of evaluation2.DPublicAEA will provide and increase access to resources so that the public will:3 Public: Specifically, AEA will work towards achieving the Public Goals Policies through the following activities and programs:
3.1 Public Statements: AEA will issue statements to the public on issues of importance to evaluation theory and practice.
3.1.1 AEA public statements will be member-developed through member-engagement activities.
3.1.2 AEA public statements will be member-approved
3.2. Public Presence: AEA will project a presence to the public.
3.2.1 AEA will project a public presence by having association officials and/or appointed designees represent us at select meetings and conferences.Awarenessbe more aware of the concept of evaluation3.AUnderstanding & Appreciationunderstand and appreciate the value of evaluation3.BExpectation & Demandexpect and demand evaluation3.CUseuse evaluation appropriately3.DAEAAEA as an organization will:4AEAAssociationbuild a respectful and welcoming, inclusive, fun and sustainable Association4.AOrganizationscollaborate with national, regional and international organizations that are aligned with AEA’s values to promote evaluation as a profession, improve evaluation practice, and increase evaluation use4.BUser Groups & Audiencescollaborate with national, regional and international evaluation user groups and audiences to promote evaluation as a profession, improve evaluation practice, and increase evaluation use and influence4.CProfessional Organizationbecome known as a professional organization that is exemplary in its strategic, operational, and normative commitments to equity and diversity, to environmental sustainability, and to collaborative decision making through:4.DSocial Justice & Environmental Impactconsidering the social justice and environmental impact of policy, product, and service alternatives during decision-making by the AEA Board and AMC.4.D.iAEA Board 2013-02-282013-06-27OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net