107: Adapting to Change: Demonstrating Practical Evaluation Responses to the 2025 Executive Order on Merit-Based Practices

This demonstration provides evaluators with practical tools to navigate the implications of Executive Order 14173, which eliminated federal DEIA programs and promotes a return to merit-based evaluation frameworks. As evaluators shift from equity-centered approaches to compliance with the new federal directive, this session offers a framework for assessing alignment with policy expectations while maintaining methodological integrity and stakeholder engagement. Attendees will be introduced to the MERA Framework (Merit, Ethics, Relevance, Accountability), designed to help evaluators revise existing plans, data systems, and communication strategies. Through a scenario-based walk-through, participants will explore real-world applications and receive a customizable checklist to adapt their practice. This demonstration is ideal for evaluators working with federal agencies, grantees, or contractors who must respond to evolving accountability requirements while upholding evaluation quality and ethical standards. Participants will leave with tools and strategies for balancing compliance, clarity, and professional integrity in a rapidly changing policy landscape.