Lessons in contracting for evaluations

A 1995 evaluation of the U.S. Marine Corps' personnel evaluation system and a 1991 evaluation of the National Assessment Governing Board procedure for setting cut scores on the mathematics section of the National Assessment o f Educational Progress provided valuable lessons in how to minimize the ris ks of misunderstanding what an evaluation will involve, subversion of the e valuation, controversy, and animosity. Both evaluations were nationally sig nificant, had to be conducted quickly, were politically volatile, were keye d to professional standards, and had substantial impacts. However, the latt er evaluation went sour, whereas the former received an official commendati on. Evaluators should do all they can to demonstrate to clients that sound evaluations are not to be feared, but should be valued and used. An investi gation of what went right and wrong in these evaluations identified contrac ting as a key variable. This article advises evaluators and clients to regu larly negotiate clear, sound contracts before proceeding with an evaluation , and presents a checklist to assist in the contracting process.