Evaluation

NAAEE developed a set of core values to guide evaluation in environmental education based on the collective wisdom of environmental education researchers, practitioners, policymakers, funders, and evaluators. These core values help define the relationship between effective program evaluation and environmental education, in order to conduct high-quality program evaluation that contributes to healthier communities and equitable outcomes. The six core values include:

• Collective Evaluation. Collective evaluation allows for shared learning between organizations and networks. It relies on collective wisdom and utilizes multiple perspectives, approaches and forms of measurement. 
• Equity in Motion. Evaluators have an obligation to design and conduct evaluations that take into consideration the disparity that exists within and between groups of individuals. Evaluations determine which viewpoints and perspectives will be highlighted. They also influence decision-making processes. Evaluators need to recognize the role power dynamics, white privilege and structural oppression take in the work. 
• Authentic Engagement. Authentic engagement is dedicated to collaboration, inclusivity, capacity-building, and civic action in order to create healthier communities and equitable outcomes. Evaluations should include individuals impacted by the programs as key stakeholders in the evaluation and involve them as team members, designers, decision-makers and implementers of the evaluation. 
• Deep Curiosity. It is imperative to include the perspectives of the cultures, histories and traditions of those involved in the programs and evaluations. Every person brings different meaning to key concepts and it's important to understand whose definitions are used in the evaluation. This often requires time and space to engage the community in developing tools and processes. 
• Lifelong Learning and Critical Reflection. Evaluation leads to growth at the individual and organizational level, which often require humility, self-reflection and accountability. By creating a culture that celebrates the courage to question assumptions and practices, organizations can explore differences and understand how differences, biases and power influence evaluations. 
• High Quality Evaluation. High quality evaluations balance sociopolitical (political, social, historical, cultural and organizational), ethical and technical (evaluation planning, implementing and reporting) considerations. High quality evaluation needs to be cultural responsive and embedded in programming.

When starting to evaluate the strength and success of your Affiliate and the network(s) it facilitates consider using this resource from Network Weaver. 

Focused on an inclusive and engaging evaluative process, the process laid out focuses on three main areas:

• Network Maps and Metrics
• Network Indicators
• Outcomes