An examination of a values‐engaged, educative evaluation at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao

Abstract

Examinations of culture and cultural responsiveness within evaluations have gained traction, successes and challenges working with Latino/a/e communities have been well‐documented, and considerations for working with this community have been put forth. However, evaluation literature examining culturally responsive evaluation (CRE) and social justice approaches within Latino/a/e contexts is still relatively nascent. In this article, we reflect upon an evaluation of a project at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao. We present three key lessons learned. (1) Having the right evaluation team is critical. There is a need for team members with evaluation expertise and cultures and lived experiences similar to those of the participants. (2) Developing an understanding of the context is an important and continuously evolving task. (3) Culturally commensurate instruments and reports are a non‐negotiable aspect of culturally responsive evaluation work within Latino/a/e communities. We conclude with actionable strategies when working in similar contexts.