A Tale Not Worth (Re)Telling: Re-Imagining Narratives Surrounding Evaluation Practice

Abstract Information: You’ve probably heard of program evaluation failures (we all have them!), but what about a different kind of narrative — evaluation fairytales? Evaluation fairytales are idealized, outdated, or misinformed beliefs, myths, and expectations that can show up during each step of the evaluation process. These long-lasting and prevailing narratives perpetuate false assumptions, create unrealistic timelines, undermine social and racial equity, and limit the utility of the evaluation. This session explores common evaluation fairytales and offers opportunities for participants to collectively imagine how we might navigate these different narratives, tell new stories, and amplify emerging voices that support a more pragmatic, sustainable, and equitable future of evaluation practice. Drawing from the perspectives of a funder and a consultant, this interactive session will provide real-world examples that shed light on common challenges organizations and consultants experience throughout the evaluation process. These evaluation fairytales include the Funding Furies, Magic Wand, Noble Neutrality, Quantitative Quest, and Attribution Apple. For example, the Magic Wand fairytale is the belief that evaluators have access to secret data and information that organizations do not. Join us in unraveling the enchanting world of program evaluation fairytales as we explore ways to tell new stories that are fit for the purposes and challenges of today; strengthening relationships, managing expectations, and promoting equity. After a brief presentation of fairytale examples, breakout groups will employ a Discovery Action Dialogue (DAD) format to describe where they’ve encountered the fairytale narrative, explore what keeps them or others from challenging the narrative, identify how they or others have changed or could change that prevailing story, and consider what we need to make that shift happen – including drawing on the American Evaluation Association’s Guiding Principles and Evaluator Competencies.