Evaluation Capacity Network: Aligning Evaluative Thinking and Practice among Early Childhood Stakeholders

This project aims to provide evidence and research support to BGCBigs in the implementation of their Building an Evaluation Framework and Capacity for Sustainability project. BGCBigs recognizes that achieving their goal of ‘supporting our children and youth on the path to success’ depends upon an organization committed to evaluative thinking, learning and utilization of evidence for decision-making. This project will enable BGCBigs to conduct quality evaluations and use evidence to improve programs for children and youth. Non-profit organizations do not always have the resources, expertise, time, or
capacity to develop comprehensive evaluation plans or to build evaluation capacity. This project will provide a case study where the ECN research team can more closely examine how partners develop a shared evaluation framework for assessing the impacts of programs, use evidence to inform and
improve organizational practices, programs, and policies and also determine the level of knowledge, skills and resources needed to enhance evaluation capacity.

Faculty Supervisor:

Rebecca Gokiert

Student:

Partner:

Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and Area

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education; Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Alberta

Program: