Canadian Evaluation Society Professional Designations Program Keiko Kuji-Shikatani

Canadian Evaluation Society Professional Designations Program Keiko Kuji-Shikatani, Ed. D. Vice President Professional Designations Program

CES – how we work • National Council representatives from each Chapter • Elected President & 2 Vice President positions • Chapter constitutions & Boards Canadian Evaluation Society

CES – who are we? CES, a non profit professional association established in 1981 11 Chapters 1900 members – community of evaluators Canadian Evaluation Society

Objective About the Designation Knowledge base Key Features and Benefits Requirements Questions and Answers

About the Credentialed Evaluator Designation The Designation is designed to: Define Recognize and, Promote the practice of ethical, high quality and competent evaluation in Canada through a program for professional designation. The designation means that the holder has provided evidence of education and experience required to be a competent evaluator.

Professional Designations WHY DO IT? Bring clarity and definition for and within the evaluation community / practice in Canada: Define – what constitutes competent evaluation practice Recognize – voluntarily identify those with the skills and knowledge to provide these services Promote – continuous learning and development within our community All references found at www. evaluationcanada. ca Canadian Evaluation Society

Professional Designations HOW WE DID IT? Project October 2007 -May 2009 Roughly 21 volunteers across Canada Estimated 450 days of volunteer effort Canadian Evaluation Society

PROJECT OVERVIEW 2006 RFP issued 2007 Consortium Report Project Volunteers - Sub Committees Consortium engaged National Council Response PDCC established CE Model developed - Council review - Member Consultations Ethics & Standards Member Consultations Competencies Decision to proceed 2009 2008 - Crosswalk - Member survey - Descriptors CE definition Competencies - Validation survey Competencies approved PD Policy approved - New CES program/service - CES structure changes Implementation plan - CES investment CES Professional Designations Project

The house that CES built… Canadian Evaluation Society

Crosswalk of Evaluator Competencies CES National Council Noted that a well-structured and agreed knowledge base is essential to any system of professional designation Proposed undertaking a “cross-walk The Professional Designation Core Committee (2008) Built on the Taxonomy of Essential Competencies for Program Evaluators (ECPE) advanced by Stevahn, King, Ghere and Minnema (2005) CES Crosswalk of Evaluator Competencies Informed the development of the CES Competencies for Canadian Evaluation Practice.

Competencies for Canadian Evaluation Practice 1. 0 Reflective Practice competencies focus on the fundamental norms and values underlying evaluation practice and awareness of one’s evaluation expertise and needs for growth. 2. 0 Technical Practice competencies focus on the specialized aspects of evaluation, such as design, data collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting. 3. 0 Situational Practice competencies focus on the application of evaluative thinking in analyzing and attending to the unique interests, issues, and contextual circumstances in which evaluation skills are being applied. 4. 0 Management Practice competencies focus on the process of managing a project/evaluation, such as budgeting, coordinating resources and supervising. 5. 0 Interpersonal Practice competencies focus on people skills, such as communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, collaboration, and diversity.

The CE Provides: For Evaluation Practitioners direction on the knowledge and skills required to be a competent evaluator and to guide professional development For Learning Organizations and Service Providers Direction on the type of education and professional development required to support the discipline For Firms Direction on engaging and creating evaluation expertise when developing job descriptions or seeking services For Program Managers direction when working with evaluation professionals

Credentialed Evaluator (CE) Qualifications Graduate degree or certificate; AND Graduate Two (2) years (full time equivalent) evaluation. Two (2) years related work experience within the last 10 years; AND Demonstrate the relevance of education and / or experience to 70% of the competencies in each 70% of the competencies of the five domains in the Competencies for Canadian Evaluation Practice. Canadian Evaluation Society

Rationale for Requirements Experience Based on consultations across the country. Many evaluators do not conduct evaluations full-time. Education Also based on consultations Evaluators come from a broad range of disciplines. Masters Degree is the norm (2005 survey) Skill set defined for Masters aligns well with evaluator competencies Post graduate certificates in research methods/evaluation exist or are in planning stages. PLAR was included because some experienced evaluators do not currently have advanced degrees.

Requirements – Qualification 1 Graduate Level Degree or Certificate Provide evidence of education Provide the name and year of conferred graduate level degree or certificate from an Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada post-secondary institution and specialization, if applicable (i. e. , Master of , Post-graduate Certificate in. . . ) Name and Location of Institution (i. e. , University of , . College, etc. ), Year (s) attended Provide a copy of your degree or certificate through the secure CE application website

Requirements – Qualification 2 Evidence of two years (full-time equivalent) related work experience within the last 10 years Provide statements of your work experience: Employment (including teaching) Practicum Volunteer Other experience in evaluation Provide letters of reference using the CE application sponsor form (download from the application website)

Requirements – Qualification 3 Demonstration of Competencies for Canadian Evaluation Practice Declare your competencies under each Domain Using narrative, align your experience and/or education to 70% of the competencies in each of the five domains Reflective Technical Situational Management Interpersonal

Renewal requirements- Qualification 4 The fourth qualification is related to maintaining the CE designation. Credentialed Evaluators will be required to provide evidence of ongoing learning and professional development link - 40 hours of learning every three years.

Credentialing Board The Credentialing Board is the decision making body for the Professional Designations Program. It considers the merits of a members' application for credentialed status, that is, to become officially credentialed as an evaluation professional, as recognized by the Canadian Evaluation Society.

What is the likelihood that you will apply for the Credentialed Evaluator Designation in the first two years of the program? N=544 High - 72% Moderate - 19% Low – 9%

When do you plan to apply? N=393 Immediately – 50% Soon – 13% Later – 9%

For more information: Visit the CES website for more information on the Professional Designations Program: www. evaluationcanada. ca

PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS PROGRAM (PDP) LOGIC MODEL GOAL To define, recognize and promote the practice of ethical, high quality and competent evaluation in Canada through a program for professional designations in CES OBJECTIVES To create and respond to the demand for professional designations To ensure the CE designation, CES Ethics, Standards and Competencies reflect current and best practice To ensure a sustainable infrastructure for the Professional Designations Program ACTIVITIES Market the CE to Members & Stakeholders Process CE applications, renewals & appeals Undertake periodic review, updating & validation of designation qualifications, CES Ethics, Standards & Competencies Set & collect PDP fees Manage the PDP repository Manage the human & technology resources of the PDP OUTPUTS Applications, Decisions, Brochures, Website, CE Application Guide Ethics, Standards & Competencies Consultations, Research, Evaluations of PDP OUTCOMES IMMEDIATE Members are satisfied with PDP There is a demand for CE designation CES adopts a plan for the review of PDP, Ethic, Standards & Competencies PDP budget, Credentialing Board, Administrator, policies, systems, processes, PDP fees Systems, processes & human resources support the demand for the CE; The PDP is cost neutral, supported by fees within the program INTERMEDIATE The CE is a desirable designation; CES renews the foundations of the PDP (qualifications, Ethics, Standards, Competencies) and explores other designations (certification, master level, etc); External organizations support, promote & make use of the Canadian designation IMPACT CES contributes to the professionalization of evaluation in Canada and brings clarity and definition for and within the Canadian evaluation practice

THANK YOUR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS… Keiko Kuji-Shikatani, Vice President Professional Designations Program Canadian Evaluation Society www. evaluationcanada. ca Canadian Evaluation Society