Recollecting the Dilemmas of Reform

Abstract

In the mid-1980s, Stephen Kemmis and Fazal Rizvi worked on an overview evaluation of the Participation and Equity Program in Victoria Australia. This evaluation resulted in a book,  Dilemmas of Reform (Deakin University , 1987). Their analysis exemplified a new way of thinking about program evaluation that was both historically and philosophically informed and empirically and practically grounded. The notions of meaning and practice were brought together. In this paper, Rizvi will reflect on his experiences of working with Stephen, from the early stages of the conceptualisation of the evaluation to the later stages of writing the report. The chapter will highlight the many qualities, both personal and academic , that Stephen possesses and the many things that Rizvi has learned from him.