2019 State Standard of Excellence
6. Evaluation Leadership
Did the governor’s office or any state agency have a senior staff member(s) with the authority, staff, and budget to evaluate its major programs and inform policy decisions affecting them? (Example: chief evaluation officer)
Why is this important?
Evaluation leadership positions are an important tool for state governments to ensure that evidence of what works is a primary consideration when making programmatic and budget decisions.
Leading Example
OH
Single agency
The Director of the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Research, Evaluation and Advanced Analytics is responsible for helping educational leaders across the state recognize, gather, analyze, evaluate, and leverage data to solve problems and improve student outcomes. Initiatives such as Empowered by Evidence and the Ohio’s Evidence-Based Clearinghouse are designed for “a culture of continuous learning…[and to] create the framework and processes needed for actionable research.” The Department has partnered with the Ohio Education Research Center to share education data across the state.
Promising Examples
CT
Single agency
The Connecticut State Department of Education’s Office of Performance is led by a Chief Performance Officer, who is responsible for using data, evaluation, research, and technology to improve student outcomes. The Chief Performance Officer oversees the department’s data collection, assessment, information technology, reporting, research, and accountability activities, including the management of its performance dashboard, EdSight. The office hosts an annual Performance Matters Forum, which focuses on performance, continuous improvement, research, and evaluation topics.
MA
Single agency
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Planning and Research is led by a Chief Strategy and Research Officer who is responsible for improving the use of data and research findings to influence policy and program decision-making, including the goal of preparing all students for success after high school along with the department’s other five priorities. The position oversees all activities related to research, performance management, research partnerships, and strategic planning.
MS
Single agency
The Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Research and Development is led by a Director charged with using data and research to improve student outcomes. The office’s work, guided by a Dynamic Research Framework, uses its longitudinal data system to evaluate the effectiveness of programs in areas such as Early Learning.