A Consideration on Evaluation for Conceptual Targets of SDG4:

Shift from Measurability to Evaluability

Abstract

  One of the prominent difficulties of SDG evaluation is rooted in its highly-abstract and quality-based conceptual targets. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical framework to capture the SDG conceptual targets in the context of evaluation for global cooperation and to examine feasibility of “local-formative evaluation,” which appears in the framework.

  Some of the SDG conceptual targets are difficult to measure by existing evaluation indicators. Therefore, it is necessary to shift an emphasis of our discussion from measurability to evaluability. In order to increase evaluability, abstract global goals and targets need to be localized by considering its own social context. This study focuses on ESD of SDG4.7 as a typical representative of the SDG conceptual targets and employs an action research method to analyze a case of ESD evaluation at a public primary school. This action research reveals the significance of theory evaluation as “local-formative evaluation,” which promotes co-productive management at the practical level.