Through participatory inquiry a variety of voices can be heard. Many of these voices, in particular the voices of parents and service providers, are not traditionally heard in program evaluation, particularly evaluations of special education programs. The traditional methods of evaluation examine compliance with laws, rules and regulations. Compliance evaluation gives voice to rules and regulations and to experts who conduct those evaluations. Participatory evaluation gives voice to stakeholders by providing a forum in which dialogue and reflection can occur.
Participatory evaluation recognizes that programs have both strengths and limitations.
The purpose of program evaluation within this context is to recognize the potential for program improvement that exists when stakeholders are engaged in meaningful reflection on their experience and practice. Participatory evaluation tries to keep the focus centered on values, beliefs and guiding principles that ground our practice. In the case of early intervention, that center must be on meeting the needs of infants and toddlers with disabilities and in the process, insuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard. Participatory inquiry creates special times and new possibilities. Through this iterative process, our practice can gain integrity and become realigned with core values and beliefs.