Re-imagining accountability: Storytelling workshops for evaluation in and beyond youth work

TY - JOUR

T1 - Re-imagining accountability

T2 - Storytelling workshops for evaluation in and beyond youth work

AU - de St Croix, Tania

PY - 2020/12/3

Y1 - 2020/12/3

N2 - In recent years, investment in youth services has been contingent on the measurement of predefined outcomes as ‘proof’ of effectiveness. However, this approach to impact measurement has been criticised for distorting practice and reinforcing inequalities. As youth work emerges from a decade of spending cuts, there is an urgent need for new approaches to evaluation. This article argues that such alternatives must be rooted in a participatory and democratic vision of accountability. It grounds this argument in critical reflection on one alternative approach: storytelling workshops, as developed by the activist practitioner group ‘In Defence of Youth Work’. It discusses their potential as an inclusive, dialogical method of evaluation that contributes to practice development, and reflects on the political, ethical and practical challenges in implementing them. Alternative methods of evaluation are not enough on their own, however; accountability must move away from a top-down managerial logic and focus on creating the conditions for high quality practice that benefits young people. The article concludes by arguing for the re-imagining of accountability in education through the use of alternatives such as storytelling workshops alongside a wider democratisation of policy and practice.

AB - In recent years, investment in youth services has been contingent on the measurement of predefined outcomes as ‘proof’ of effectiveness. However, this approach to impact measurement has been criticised for distorting practice and reinforcing inequalities. As youth work emerges from a decade of spending cuts, there is an urgent need for new approaches to evaluation. This article argues that such alternatives must be rooted in a participatory and democratic vision of accountability. It grounds this argument in critical reflection on one alternative approach: storytelling workshops, as developed by the activist practitioner group ‘In Defence of Youth Work’. It discusses their potential as an inclusive, dialogical method of evaluation that contributes to practice development, and reflects on the political, ethical and practical challenges in implementing them. Alternative methods of evaluation are not enough on their own, however; accountability must move away from a top-down managerial logic and focus on creating the conditions for high quality practice that benefits young people. The article concludes by arguing for the re-imagining of accountability in education through the use of alternatives such as storytelling workshops alongside a wider democratisation of policy and practice.

KW - Democratic accountability

KW - dialogue

KW - evaluation

KW - impact measurement

KW - youth work

KW - young people

KW - narrative

KW - participatory democracy

KW - youth policy

KW - storytelling

M3 - Article

SN - 1468-1366

JO - Pedagogy, Culture and Society

JF - Pedagogy, Culture and Society

ER -