What is evaluation?

Evaluation is the systematic determination of anything’s character, quality or value.  It is often applied to programs or projects, but it can be used with entire organizations.  It is also a critical tool that policymakers, organizers and community advocates use to understand issues, problems, challenges and conditions facing individuals, communities and organizations of all sizes. 

 Evaluation has earned a bad reputation in a lot of quarters, due to its history of often being used by those in power to oppress our most marginalized populations and communities and justify inequitable practices.  That kind of evaluation has no legitimate place in our field.  But when used well, culturally responsive and equitable evaluation is a FABULOUS tool that empowers its users by providing answers to questions that can help us do better work, understand the challenges we confront, and determine solutions that actually serve our communities organizations and individuals.

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