Resources for Equitable Evaluation
We are eager to share a rich set of resources related to evaluation and equity we reviewed for the project. For now, however, here is a short list of theory articles and tools you can review and put into practice today.
TOOLS
Considerations for Conducting Evaluation Using A Culturally Responsive And Racial Equity Lens Public Policy Associates, 2015
This guidebook prepared by Public Policy Associates is the result of more than three years of research to develop a new, more culturally responsive evaluation approach using a racial equity lens. This guide is intended to provide foundations with the tools to assemble more culturally competent teams, unlock insights from marginalized communities, and understand the impact of equity investments.
The Importance of Culture in Evaluation: A Practical Guide for Evaluators Lee, K., 2012
This report prepared for The Colorado Trust builds on a larger body of work regarding cultural competency in evaluation. It suggests that evaluators can begin conducting effective cross-cultural evaluations by concentrating on three dimensions of validity: culture, social identity and group membership, and privilege and power. It also provides example questions and strategies for evaluators to incorporate cultural competency in their work.
How Do We Know When We See It? Critical Issues Forum, 3 - Leiderman, S., 2010
This paper discusses the challenge evaluators face to identify the impact of efforts to address structural racism. It provides perspective and guidance on how to engage in and apply a racial equity lens to research, analysis, and discussion. It includes examples of what indicators of “success” look like for various DEI outcomes.
Embracing Equity: 7 Steps to Advance and Embed Race Equality and Inclusion Within Your Organization Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2014
This tool introduces a seven step framework to approach the complex task of advancing and incorporating racial equity work into every area of an organization. It demonstrates how an organization working with systems, technical assistance providers, and communities can adopt a racial equity lens.
Commissioning Multicultural Evaluation: A Foundation Resource Guide Inouye, T.E., Yu, H.C., and Adefuin, J., 2005
This resource guide was developed to support foundations in their shift to and commission of multicultural evaluation. Multicultural evaluation has the potential to produce more valid results, more accurate analysis, and to increase impact of racial justice programs by incorporating diverse voices in the evaluation framework.
THEORY
Systems Thinking, Evaluation, and Social Justice. Critical Issues Forum, 3 Powell, J., 2010
This paper recommends a systems approach to racial evaluation that examines not only the attitudes and behaviors of individuals, but also the policies and practices of organizations that contribute to a dynamic and interconnected system of advantage and disadvantage for certain groups. It suggests that racial justice evaluation frameworks should be designed to work in a dynamic context.
Evaluation with a Diversity Lens: Exploring its Function and Utility to Inform Philanthropic Effectiveness Millet, R.A., 2008
This article is the fifth in a series of Diversity in Philanthropy case studies that introduces Evaluation with a Diversity Lens (EDL) approach. EDL is a tool to increase effectiveness and enhance racial justice goals by incorporating diverse voices throughout the evaluation including problem recognition, program design, implementation, and data analysis.
American Evaluation Association Public Statement on Cultural Competence in Evaluation American Evaluation Association, 2011, Fairhaven, MA: Author
This statement from the American Evaluation Association emphasizes the importance of incorporating cultural competence in every aspect of evaluation. It lays out essential practices for evaluators to conduct multiculturally valid evaluations.
Evaluation to Accelerate Progress Towards Equity, Social Justice, and Human Rights In Evaluation for Equitable Development Results (Part 1 Evaluation and Equity); Segone, M., 2012
This paper defines equity-focused evaluation and demonstrates it can be used to enhance and accelerate progress of equity policies and interventions.
Raising the Bar – Integrating Cultural Competence and Equity: Equitable Evaluation The Foundation Review: Vol. 6: Iss. 2, Article 8. DOI: Dean-Coffey, J., Casey, J., and Caldwell, L. D., 2014
This article discusses the next step in advancing equity in the philanthropic sector by using the principles introduced by AEA’s statement on culturally competent evaluation to align an organizational mission with an equitable evaluation framework.