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About
About
The American Evaluation Association is devoted to the application and exploration of program evaluation, personnel evaluation, technology, and many other forms of evaluation. We strive to provide an inclusive and diverse environment where evaluators can learn and connect regardless of experience in the field.
Community
Community
AEA brings together evaluation professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. Through our diverse membership, communities, and partnerships, AEA creates collaboration opportunities that advance the field of evaluation.
Education & Programs
Education & Programs
Use the evaluation tools and education developed by the American Evaluation Association to become a better evaluator. We provide year-round opportunities to advance in the field of evaluation and programs to support the development of evaluation professionals.
Events
Events
AEA offers two in-person events each year. These powerful, impactful events provide evaluators of all levels the education and networking opportunities they need to stay informed about and connected to their field.
Publications
Publications
AEA offers both member exclusive and free publications that help guide best practices in the field of evaluation and provide insights to evaluation theory, approach, methodology, and delivery.
Policy Advocacy
Policy Advocacy
AEA brings together researchers, evaluators, policy writers, and organizational leaders for meaningful dialogue around the need for and impact of evaluation policies. We seek to improve government programs and their societal impact through evaluation and data best practices.

Join/Renew | Find an Evaluator | My Account
Login | Search

About
About
The American Evaluation Association is devoted to the application and exploration of program evaluation, personnel evaluation, technology, and many other forms of evaluation. We strive to provide an inclusive and diverse environment where evaluators can learn and connect regardless of experience in the field.
Community
Community
AEA brings together evaluation professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. Through our diverse membership, communities, and partnerships, AEA creates collaboration opportunities that advance the field of evaluation.
Education & Programs
Education & Programs
Use the evaluation tools and education developed by the American Evaluation Association to become a better evaluator. We provide year-round opportunities to advance in the field of evaluation and programs to support the development of evaluation professionals.
Events
Events
AEA offers two in-person events each year. These powerful, impactful events provide evaluators of all levels the education and networking opportunities they need to stay informed about and connected to their field.
Publications
Publications
AEA offers both member exclusive and free publications that help guide best practices in the field of evaluation and provide insights to evaluation theory, approach, methodology, and delivery.
Policy Advocacy
Policy Advocacy
AEA brings together researchers, evaluators, policy writers, and organizational leaders for meaningful dialogue around the need for and impact of evaluation policies. We seek to improve government programs and their societal impact through evaluation and data best practices.

Join/Renew | Find an Evaluator | My Account
Login | Search

About
About
The American Evaluation Association is devoted to the application and exploration of program evaluation, personnel evaluation, technology, and many other forms of evaluation. We strive to provide an inclusive and diverse environment where evaluators can learn and connect regardless of experience in the field.
Community
Community
AEA brings together evaluation professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. Through our diverse membership, communities, and partnerships, AEA creates collaboration opportunities that advance the field of evaluation.
Education & Programs
Education & Programs
Use the evaluation tools and education developed by the American Evaluation Association to become a better evaluator. We provide year-round opportunities to advance in the field of evaluation and programs to support the development of evaluation professionals.
Events
Events
AEA offers two in-person events each year. These powerful, impactful events provide evaluators of all levels the education and networking opportunities they need to stay informed about and connected to their field.
Publications
Publications
AEA offers both member exclusive and free publications that help guide best practices in the field of evaluation and provide insights to evaluation theory, approach, methodology, and delivery.
Policy Advocacy
Policy Advocacy
AEA brings together researchers, evaluators, policy writers, and organizational leaders for meaningful dialogue around the need for and impact of evaluation policies. We seek to improve government programs and their societal impact through evaluation and data best practices.

AEA Evaluator Competencies

The AEA Evaluator Competencies are a common language and set of criteria to clarify what it means to be included in the definition of evaluator. The competencies serve as a roadmap for guiding evaluator education and training and encourages critical self-reflection about the strengths and limitations of evaluators. The competencies identify ways to improve practice in the field. They reflect the services evaluators are called upon to perform in multiple contexts and recognize the interdependence and overlap of the domain.

Download the full AEA Evaluator Competencies Report.

AEA’s Professionalization Journey

1.0 DOMAIN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Focuses on what makes evaluators distinct as practicing professionals.
Professional practice is grounded in AEA’s foundational documents, including the Program Evaluation Standards, the AEA Guiding Principles, and the AEA Statement on Cultural Competence.

2.0 DOMAIN METHODOLOGY

Focuses on technical aspects of evidence-based, systematic inquiry for valued purposes.
Methodology includes quantitative, qualitative, and mixed designs for learning, understanding, decision-making, and judging.

3.0 DOMAIN CONTEXT

Focuses on understanding the unique circumstances, multiple perspectives, and changing settings of evaluations and their users/stakeholders.
Context involves site/location/ environment, participants/stakeholders, organization/structure, culture/diversity, history/traditions, values/beliefs, politics/economics, power/privilege, and other characteristics.

4.0 DOMAIN PLANNING & MANAGEMENT

Focuses on determining and monitoring work plans, timelines, resources, and other components needed to complete and deliver an evaluation study.
Planning and management include networking, developing proposals, contracting, determining work assignments, monitoring progress, and fostering use.

5.0 DOMAIN INTERPERSONAL

Focuses on human relations and social interactions that ground evaluator effectiveness for professional practice throughout the evaluation.
Interpersonal skills include cultural competence, communication, facilitation, and conflict resolution.