Ethics in evaluation: Beyond the standards

Documenting gifted program results for key decision‐makers

“…The ethical notion involved here is that of beneficence-the principle that benefits of a program be distributed equitably, not necessarily identically, but in a manner that is equally fair to all, in a manner that the same opportunity to grow exists for all (Covert, 1987). Recent reform efforts in education have focused on setting high standards of learning for all students and establishing accountability systems to verify that these standards of excellence are being met (Fetterman, 1988;Renzulli & Reis, 1991).…”

“…Here the ethics focus is autonomy-the principle that individual differences and choices are to be respected (Covert, 1987). Ultimately, gifted programs should be about the development of individual students' abilities and opportunities (Clark, 1997).…”

“…I n the discussion that follows, one of three ethical principles in evaluation is applied to the level. The principles were identified by Covert (1987) as appropriate for judging evaluations and were originally developed by The Belmont Report (National Commission, 1978) as being essential to consider in experimental programs. Their application here seems appropriate given Covert's rather obvious thesis that information gathering and sharing be done in an ethical fashion, in addition to the notion that, even where they are well established, gifted programs seem to be only temporary and experimental in nature, given the willingness of school boards and legislatures to consider eliminating them during budget shortfalls.…”

“…This addresses the ethical principle of justice, which states that the costs (in this case, human costs) of a program are borne by those most able to bear them (Covert, 1987). For example, some oppose gifted education programs because of the additional teacher and financial resources required or because such programs remove good role models from the regular classroom.…”

Photography and Ethics in Evaluation

“…One useful way to conceptualize ethical implications for including photographs in an evaluation report is to consider the short-, mid-, and long-term costs and benefits of their use to all participants-the evaluator, the clients (e.g., administrators), the participants (e.g., children and their parents, teachers), and society (Covert 1988). Costs and benefits would include financial, physical, intellectual, psychological, and time factors.…”