Utilizing Participatory Evaluation in a Public School Setting: An Assessment of Teacher Involvement in Decision Making.

Participatory evaluation is an assessment approach that involves the participants of a study from beginning to end. The evaluation strategy was implemented in a public school district to assess teacher involvement in decisionmaking, determine whether teachers desire more participation, and evaluate the assessment strategy itself. Data were collected through interviews with 12 teachers and 1 principal as well as through results from a survey instrument developed by the interviewees and distributed to their district's entire elementary teacher population. Results from the data analysis indicate that teachers participate in decisions involving curriculum/instruction and student personnel but do not desire more participation in the two areas. However, teachers do want more participation in decisions regarding staff personnel, supervision, budget/finance, and school facilities. Observations made while implementing the evaluation strategy indicate that the participants became actively immersed in the project, explorations of issues were facilitated due to the trusting relationship between participants, discussions of topics were easier because of the participants' broad knowledge base, and representatives of the teacher population felt that the survey findings were accurate. Recommendations for implementing the participatory evaluation strategy include making certain that all participants are knowledgeable insiders. Three tables and a figure are included. (41 references) (EJS)