Navigating U.S. Evaluation Policy: Key Developments and Emerging Issues

Shaping and Navigating Evaluation Policy: Reflections and Feedback on Key Developments

Join members of AEA's Evaluation Policy Task Force (EPTF) and evaluation leaders in the U.S. federal government for an interactive session on the evolution and future direction of evaluation policy in the United States. This panel discussion will not only inform participants about key evaluation policy developments in the U.S. federal government but also create a forum for AEA members to provide valuable feedback on emerging issues and challenges.

The EPTF, composed of members with diverse evaluation policy experiences from government, academic, and private sectors, has been instrumental in raising awareness of and influencing evaluation-related policy at the federal level. In the five years since the passage of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, significant progress has been made in elevating evaluation across the federal government. Agencies have published learning agendas, evaluation plans, and evidence capacity assessments, formalizing an approach to program evaluation in government programs and operations.

Panelists will briefly share updates on influential evaluation policy activities, including:

1. Implementation of the Evidence Act across federal agencies


2. Key developments in hiring guidance for federal evaluators


3. Government-wide approaches to improve engagement in evaluation

The session will then transition into an interactive forum, inviting AEA members to provide feedback on the Evaluation Roadmap and intersections with the Evidence Act, as it reaches its 5-year milestone. This is an opportunity to reflect on key learnings about engagement, capacity building, and other opportunities for evaluation policy in the years ahead.

By participating in this session, you will gain insights into how these developments may impact your work and have the chance to shape the future direction of evaluation policy in the United States. Join us in this collaborative effort to amplify and empower voices in evaluation, in line with the conference theme.