Evaluation

Abstract

The etymology of the term evaluation is quite clear, and the Old French core provides the foundation of its definition. With “value” at the core, an evaluation is the systematic process by which the value of something is ascertained. Typically, in science education, evaluation focuses on a judgment of the value, merit or worth of a person, product, plan, proposal, program, or policy. Fournier (2005) defines evaluation as an investigation that combines the collection of evidence with synthesis relative to some standard or normative judgment to result in a determination about the condition of an entity. The value element is what makes evaluation differ from assessment and what forms the theoretical grounding by which the evaluation is structured. Evaluations range from an objective, goals-focused process to an examination of the lived experiences of the participants in the context being evaluated. The Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation has developed