Transformational Relationship Evaluation Scale (TRES) III Reflection Framework

“TRES” (pronounced “trees,” like in the forest) stands for Transformational Relationship Evaluation Scale. TRES III is the third version of the scale, which was initially created in 2009 as a tool to support reflection on, assessment of, and research into the dynamics of partnerships in community-campus engagement. The TRES III Reflection Framework is built around the TRES III scale. Its users and developers realized the value of providing additional support to turn responses to the scale into concrete action to deepen partnerships. Thus, the Reflection Framework is a series of prompts for critical reflection on partnerships, structured in three major sections per the DEAL Model for Critical Reflection, and designed to lead users to deeper understanding and deeper practice. Its primary purpose is to facilitate collaborative reflection that can generate actionable learning in order to enhance partnership quality.

The Reflection Framework is perhaps best (or most easily) applied to a current partnership, although there could be cases in which it is useful to reflect on a previous or newly emerging partnership. Further, it can be used for a teaching-, research-, or service-related partnership. Although it can be used in its entirety by individuals, it is designed to be used collaboratively, with one section structured for individual reflection (to help ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and to avoid groupthink). Because it is intended to generate actionable learning to enhance the quality of partnerships, it is recommended that most if not all partners be involved in using the Reflection Framework; this is especially important at the end of the process when determining specific changes to be made to deepen the partnership. 

Research on its use by many partnerships across multiple contexts confirm the Reflection Framework’s utility in identifying and acting on enhancements to partnerships (e.g., changes in communication or decision-making processes) as well as its potential to improve partners’ clarity about and commitment to their partnerships.

Meet the TRES Team who co-created TRES III. If you would like to collaborate with the TRES Team on potential uses or are interested in having a team member facilitate the use of TRES in your context, please contact Lori Kniffin, lekniffin@fhsu.edu.

TRES Resources

The TRES III Reflection Framework is a free, publicly available tool.

For information on the evolution of the work on TRES, please see:

Kniffin, L. E., Camo-Biogradlija, J., Price, M. F., Kohl, E., Williams, J., Del Conte Dickovick, A., Goodwin, J., Johnson, K., Clayton, P. H., & Bringle, R. G. (2020). Relationships and partnerships in community-campus engagement: Evolving inquiry and practice, International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement, 8(1), Article 15. https://doi.org/10.37333/001c.18586

Kniffin, L. E., Clayton, P. H., Camo-Biogradlija, J., Price, M., F., Bringle, R. G., & Botkin, H. M. (2023). Using a critical reflection framework to deepen community-campus relationships and partnerships: A multi-institutional mixed-methods study. International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement, 11(1). Article 13. https://doi.org/10.37333/001c.91729

Price, M. F., Camo-Biogradlija, J., Kniffin, L. E., Clayton, P. H., Bringle, R. G., & Botkin, H. M. (2025). An inquiry into the program planning orientations of community engagement administrators in community-academic partnerships, Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 31(1), 226-253. https://doi.org/10.3998/mjcsl.6294