Pathwaves’ commitment to learning through evaluation is in alignment with two of the values upon which we were founded: (1) we are adaptive and nimble, (2) we center BIPOC voices. As an organization, it is a priority to systematically and intentionally identify and create tools for assessment, improved practice, accountability for individuals and the organization, and sector progress. We prioritize reflective learning and improvement in our program design and implementation, seeking feedback and ways to improve that are incorporated into an adaptive structure for our Fellowship program and the management of our organization. As we do this, it is essential that we center the expertise and experiences of the leaders of color who make up our organization and greater Pathwaves community.
We are proud to collaborate with the Puget Sound Educational Service District’s Strategy Evaluation and Learning (PSESD StEL) team to co-design an evaluation process that centers the experiences and priorities of our Fellows, Board, staff, and placement sites. The evaluation takes place concurrently with the program so that findings can have an immediate impact. This cohort, we established an evaluation advisory group made up of current Fellows,alumni, Pathwaves Board and staff, and placement site supervisors. Together, this team determines the priorities for the evaluation, selects data collection methods, and makes meaning of the findings to develop recommendations to continue improving upon our program and meeting our vision.
For me, it’s been so impactful to see how Pathwaves has made changes to the program from the evaluation of the previous cohort. It’s a true testament to their belief that our BIPOC fellows hold the knowledge and expertise to make necessary change. I’m so excited to see how Pathwaves continues to improve as we see more Fellows in early childhood policy over the coming years!
Dania Nuno Carrillo, Pathwaves Fellow at Washington STEM
The purpose of the evaluation is to ensure that Pathwaves’ work is supporting the mission to build the collective power of BIPOC leaders and transform the early childhood policy sector in alignment with our Theory of Change. To meet this purpose, the evaluation process is focused on supporting the Pathwaves Board and staff to serve in their respective roles, and on alignment between Pathwaves and placement sites to ensure effective policy and systems change. The Pathwaves team is prioritizing action items discovered through the evaluation process to continue to strengthen our leadership and improve our program’s impact.
Co-creating the evaluation with everyone – staff, board, Fellows, supervisors, alumni – has given us a real opportunity to create a shared understanding of Pathwaves goals. As a Fellow, it was empowering to speak openly of the barriers we encountered. As an alum it’s been powerful to watch real time changes toward our goals, only made possible through the meaning we’ve drawn from the evaluation. The slow burn of systems change can be incredibly stunting, so pinpointing where our pains and progress lies is vital for morale and perseverance.
Samantha Grono, 2022-2024 Fellow and current Pathwaves Board Member
This partnership with the PSESD StEL team has been essential to the learning and growth of our organization. We have already seen significant impacts to our Fellowship program based on learning from the evaluation process for the 2022-24 Cohort. We look forward to continuing to set goals as a community, reflect on our impact, and transform the early childhood policy sector in pursuit of our mission. This partnership with the PSESD StEL team has been essential to the learning and growth of our organization.
