Leviton L
American Journal of Evaluation, 24(1): 85-90, January 2003
In this article, Laura C. Leviton responds to a report of a comprehensive evaluation of a life skills program directed at teen sexual risk taking. Leviton expresses several concerns about the conduct of the evaluation, using the Guiding Principles for Evaluators in her commentary. She addresses the evaluators’ understanding of who the client is—in this case, a local foundation—and the importance of careful preparation for the evaluation in protecting not only the evaluators but also the client. She notes that the extent to which the evaluators consulted stakeholder groups is unclear and emphasizes the need to include teens, parents and the community in this sort of evaluation. In particular, she states that not only individuals but the community as well must be involved since “there is a danger of real, not imaginary, negative side effects and misuse of findings.” Leviton offers one strategy to handle the scenario that includes: an inclusive planning committee; a poll of teens and parents, with communication of poll results to the planning committee; a needs assessment with questions from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System; reassurances to participants about the benefits of the evaluation; and an understanding that, while necessary, “genuine community engagement is often less than pleasant.”
Associated Grant ID: RWJF Staff
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