The chapter discusses the importance and evolution of evaluation in educational settings, emphasizing its role in supporting diverse student populations and justifying strategic initiatives. Evaluation is described as a complex and evolving practice, with various approaches ranging from positivist to interpretivist methods. The relationship between evaluation and research is explored, highlighting how they can be distinct but interconnected processes. The chapter also delves into the ethical and political dimensions of evaluation, noting the challenges of objectivity and the influence of power dynamics. Different evaluation schools, such as experimental, illuminative, systems, goal-free, action research, responsive, and utilization-focused, are discussed, each with its own strengths and limitations. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for clarity in assumptions and theoretical commitments within the complex landscape of educational evaluation and the importance of raising awareness among researchers and practitioners.The chapter discusses the importance and evolution of evaluation in educational settings, emphasizing its role in supporting diverse student populations and justifying strategic initiatives. Evaluation is described as a complex and evolving practice, with various approaches ranging from positivist to interpretivist methods. The relationship between evaluation and research is explored, highlighting how they can be distinct but interconnected processes. The chapter also delves into the ethical and political dimensions of evaluation, noting the challenges of objectivity and the influence of power dynamics. Different evaluation schools, such as experimental, illuminative, systems, goal-free, action research, responsive, and utilization-focused, are discussed, each with its own strengths and limitations. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for clarity in assumptions and theoretical commitments within the complex landscape of educational evaluation and the importance of raising awareness among researchers and practitioners.