Lévaluation

Lévaluation, often written évaluation in French, is the systematic process of determining the merit, value, or significance of a subject—such as a program, policy, product, or educational activity—through evidence and predefined criteria. The goal is to inform decision-making, accountability, and improvement by interpreting data to judge quality or impact.

In education, évaluation refers to assessing learners’ knowledge, skills, and competencies. It encompasses formative evaluation, which guides instruction, and summative evaluation, which certifies achievement. Assessments may include tests, performances, portfolios, and observations, typically supported by rubrics and feedback to promote learning.

In public policy and organizational contexts, évaluation examines relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of programs. Evaluation designs often employ models such as CIPP or logic models, and use mixed methods to collect data, analyze outcomes, and produce findings that guide redesign, scale-up, or termination.

Methods combine qualitative and quantitative approaches, drawing on surveys, interviews, administrative records, document analysis, and observations. Best practice emphasizes validity, reliability, ethics, transparency, and stakeholder involvement in planning, execution, and reporting of results.

Critiques point to potential biases, overemphasis on easily measured indicators, and resource demands. When poorly designed, evaluation can mislead or constrain creativity; hence, ethical guidelines and independent review are often recommended.

See also: evaluation, assessment, appraisal.