This article presents a comprehensive taxonomy of essential competencies for program evaluators. First, the authors provide a rationale for developing evaluator competencies, along with a brief history of the initial development and validation of the taxonomy of essential evaluator competencies in King, Stevahn, Ghere, and Minnema (2001). Second, they present a revised version of that taxonomy and describe the revision process. Third, a crosswalk accompanying the taxonomy indicates which competencies address standards, principles, and skills endorsed by major evaluation associations in North America. Finally, the authors identify future needs related to the taxonomy, including the need for validation research, a shared understanding of terms, and the construction of descriptive rubrics for assessing competence.

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This article describes an interactive professional development unit that engages both novice and experienced evaluators in (a) learning about the Essential Competencies for Program Evaluators (ECPE), (b) applying the competencies to program evaluation contexts, and (c) using the ECPE to reflect on their own professional practices. The article briefly summarizes current issues about program evaluator competencies and the components of effective professional development. It then describes the ECPE; the objectives, content, and process of the professional development session; and the ECPE Self-Assessment Instrument. Facilitators can adapt and use the unit in a variety of settings, including university courses and program evaluation conferences.

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