Resources

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Alternative Approaches to Program Planning & Evaluation

Many of the logic models and theory of change frameworks listed here were developed with Western societies and cultures in mind. They are taught in most academic settings and valued by grant makers. When applied to non-Western cultural settings, however, they may lead to misleading results or yield initiatives that are not appropriate for the community. In fact, in many cases they may have unintended negative consequences. The frameworks included below address this cultural mismatch by offering approaches that reshape the logic of program planning and evaluation in response to the norms and values of specific communities. Although most of these examples feature indigenous communities, the culturally sensitive approaches they demonstrate can be adapted to other cultural settings as well.

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Decolonized & Indigenized Research Methods

• Protocols for Native American Archival Materials​

• Indigenous Collections Care Guide

• Indigenous Data Sovereignty for K-14 Education by Dr. Carroll. 

• Archival Innovator Award: Indigenous Archival Training Program

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The Most Significant Change (MSC) Technique

Like theories of change, Most Significant Change (MSC) is a method of defining desired program outcomes, describing how they will be achieved, and explaining why they are achievable. Like logic models and theories of change, this technique is ideally developed collaboratively through brainstorming, and it is a strategy for monitoring progress toward outcomes. Unlike a theory of change, which produces quantifiable outcome indicators and relies on them to monitor progress, MSC is a qualitative approach. Instead of measurable outcome indicators, it relies on stories from the participating community to monitor success and to identify barriers. It is best suited to participatory program planning and evaluation, especially in cultural contexts where truth value is judged more by “voice” (storytelling) than by academic methods for establishing validity. This book (104 pages) takes the reader through the steps of the technique, reviews types of settings and initiatives where it has been successfully used, and discusses future directions. Four appendices provide detailed guidance for practitioners, including examples of story collection formats, significant change stories, story reporting formats, and a facilitation guide for story collection. The book’s overall approach aligns with strategies for decolonizing research and evaluation methods.

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Authors: Rick Davies and Jess Dart

Date: 2005

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Podcast 

Native Land Pod​: "In the spirit of the last stanza of the Black National Anthem, we rise from the past, rooted deeply in the soil of ancestral struggles, to build a home, to claim our space. On Native Land Pod, Angela Rye, Tiffany Cross, and Andrew Gillum guide us through the political landscape, wielding insights and unapologetic analysis, unraveling the threads that connect Black Americans and marginalized communities to a place they courageously call home. In each episode, Angela, Tiffany and Andrew embark on a journey of reflection, taking stock of the news of the week and the country's road to the polls. 

Join us each week as we navigate the dance between past and present, weaving a narrative of hope, empowerment, and the unyielding strength that defines the journey to reclaim 'Native Land.' This isn't just news analysis; it's a movement, a conversation, and a testament to the power of those who dare to rebuild and redefine the meaning of home."

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Morning Cup of Equity Podcast:

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