This article describes an evaluation that was judged to be unsuccessful from the point of view of key program stakeholders. This was due to the fact that the evaluation did not support program advocates who had much to gain from positive evaluation findings. We argue that, although the knowledge needs of stakeholders must be taken into account,…

Examines relationships among three principal elements of educational accountability: (1) assessment of achievement; (2) collection of educational indicators; and (3) setting of educational policy. Uses a Venn diagram to portray interactions among the three elements and emphasizes the importance of understanding value perspectives in…

Discusses the roles played by participants and the processes involved in a provincial standards-setting exercise for a large-scale assessment of student skills. Offers perspectives of a policy maker outside the exercise and an insider participant. Describes alternate notions of representativeness, stakes, and significance. (SLD)