Using the 2018 AEA Evaluator Competencies for Effective Program Evaluation Practice

The ultimate goal of using the 2018 AEA Evaluator Competencies is effective program evaluation practice. This chapter suggests how the competencies can be used to enhance professional practice by individual evaluators, organizations/institutions, and evaluation associations. Individual use includes self‐assessing expertise, pursuing professional development, and using common evaluation language. Organizational use includes guiding internal evaluations or university evaluator education programs and curricula, seeking external assistance, and cultivating institutional learning. Association use includes sponsoring professional development, credentialing or certifying evaluators, and assessing competence through measurement or some other form of documentation such as a practice‐based portfolio. All of these uses hold potential to further professionalize the field of program evaluation.