Topic: Professional Development

REA researchers have evaluated a variety of short- and long-term professional development initiatives, both conventional and Web-based. These have included in-depth examinations of programs for teachers of English language learners, studies funded under Federal technology initiatives, and projects seeking to reach professionals in science reporting, school leaders, and those working with autistic children.

21st Century Biology The 21st Century Biology project provided long-term teacher professional development for Utah high school teachers. Three cohorts of 24 teachers participated in a 2-week intensive Summer Institute that * updated their content knowledge for topics covered by the five Utah Core Curriculum Standards; * offered opportunities to interact with University scientists, provided experiences in inquiry-based learning; * highlighted topics relevant to students’ lives; * modeled culturally-sensitive instruction; * incorporated appropriate use of technology; * engaged them in learning curriculum design models and developing model lessons; and * facilitated formation of professional learning groups. Teachers then participated in follow-up workshops to continue the work begun during the Summer Institute. more» Client: University of Utah: Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC) Funding Agency: Utah State Office of Education Topic: Assessment, Instructional Materials/Programs, Professional Development

A Computer for Every Teacher A Computer for Every Teacher was a project of the Indiana Department of Education to provide each teacher and administrator in four schools with a computer and printer for their personal, professional use. more» Client: Indiana Department of Education Funding Agency: Topic: School Reform, Tech Reform, Professional Development, Technology and Education

Accessing Algebra Through Inquiry The Accessing Algebra Through Inquiry (a2i) project is an i3 validation grant conducted by New Visions for Public Schools, in partnership with the Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative and the New York City Department of Education. The project provides formative assessment lessons, ongoing coaching and training, and opportunities to examine student work in school-based inquiry team meetings. more» Client: New Visions for Public Schools Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education (ED): Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) Topic: School Reform, Assessment, Professional Development

Behavioral Interventions in Autism (BIA) Rockman et al worked with The University of Massachusetts (UMass) to conduct the external evaluation of the Behavior Analysis Autism Training Project funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education (FIPSE). more» Client: University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Topic: Professional Development, Distance Learning

Boston-Harvard Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) The Boston-Harvard Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) was a five-year program designed to build the leadership capacity of educators in the Boston Public Schools in order to enhance overall academic achievement for students. Begun in 1997, the LDI was a partnership of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Boston Public Schools, with funding and support from FleetBoston Financial Foundation and Harvard University. more» Client: Harvard Graduate School of Education Funding Agency: FleetBoston Topic: School Reform, Professional Development

California Academy of Sciences: Institute on Science and Sustainability Rockman et al developed an evaluation plan as part of a planning grant for the California Academy of Sciences' Institute on Science and Sustainability Program. The Institute on Science and Sustainability has built upon the Academy's strengths to create a network of master science teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area to raise the level of science education. more» Client: California Academy of Sciences Funding Agency: Bechtel Jr. Foundation Topic: Museum, Professional Development, Community Outreach, Technology and Education, Informational Media

Carleton College: On the Cutting Edge On the Cutting Edge is a comprehensive, discipline-wide professional development program for current and future geoscience faculty. The program attempts to engage a significant percentage of the total number of US geoscience faculty through participation in face-to-face or online Cutting Edge workshop experiences, in order to achieve a widespread and sustainable impact. To investigate this impact, REA is conducting an on-going retrospective analysis of project evaluation activities. REA is also collecting data via geoscience faculty interviews and in-depth case studies to better understand how the program affects faculties' teaching attitudes and practices. more» Client: Carleton College Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Course, Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Web Sites, Professional Development, Informational Media

Community Skills Mentor (CSM) Project REA served as the external evaluator for the University of Massachusetts' (UMass) Community Skills Mentor Project, an online course for supervisors of direct service providers who work with people with disabilities. The goal of the course is to lead mentors to mastery over the skills they need to support and supervise direct support workers. more» Client: University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Topic: Professional Development, Distance Learning

Connected University Connected University is the professional development initiative of Classroom Connect. Rockman et al was engaged at the start of this successful program to serve as its external evaluator. Rockman explored the Web site and instructional interface, provided feedback on the online “guides,” and established a standard course assessment program for the online university. more» Client: Classroom Connect Funding Agency: Classroom Connect Topic: Professional Development, Distance Learning

CONTACT: Connecting Teachers and Creative Technologies REA worked with Cable in the Classroom to develop an evaluation for the pilot implementation of their CONTACT professional development program for teachers in the metropolitan DC area. more» Client: Cable in the Classroom Funding Agency: Cable in the Classroom Topic: Professional Development

Doing What Works (DWW) Doing What Works (DWW) is a resource for schools seeking to improve instruction. Coordinated by WestEd, along with AIR and RMC, the effort analyzes and disseminates research-based information for schools and districts. REA is the external evaluator for this project. more» Client: WestEd Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education (ED): General Topic: School Reform, Informal Learning, Professional Development, Public/Educational Policy

Early Intervention (EI) Online The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate Internet-Based Early Intervention (EI) Training as a five-course continuing education and development distance-learning program for EI providers who serve children with developmental disabilities, special health care needs, and their families. REA conducted the formative and summative evaluation of the three year project. more» Client: University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School Funding Agency: Topic: Professional Development, Distance Learning

Effective Practice Incentive Community (EPIC) - Friendship Public Charter Schools Evaluation REA conducted the evaluation of the New Leaders for New Schools: Effective Practice Incentive Community (EPIC) Model pilots which was created to learn from educators driving achievement gains in high-need urban schools and make these available outside the EPIC consortium. more» Client: New Leaders for New Schools Funding Agency: New Leaders for New Schools Topic: Professional Development

Gates LEAD (Learning Educational Administration from a Distance) The Gates LEAD Project, a joint effort of the EdVenture Group and the West Virginia Department of Education, funded in part by the Gates Foundation, was designed to give school administrators the skills and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about technology. more» Client: West Virginia Department of Education and EdVenture Funding Agency: West Virginia Department of Education, EdVenture, Gates Foundation Topic: Tech Reform, Professional Development, Technology and Education, Learning with Laptops

IndianaNEXT IndianaNEXT provided customized professional development for some 1200 public and private school administrators, helping them use technology to support school improvement, increase student learning, and meet state and federal demands for accountability. From 2000 to 2003, Rockman collected formative data to help program leaders refine professional development offerings and better serve principals and superintendents from diverse schools and districts. more» Client: Indiana Department of Education Funding Agency: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Topic: School Reform, Professional Development

Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Adventures REA served as the evaluator of educational outreach activities for a six-part KQED series called Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Adventure. In the program, Jean-Michel Cousteau and his diving teams explored an array of natural phenomena, investigated little known territories and ecosystems hundreds of feet beneath the ocean's surface, and came face to face with the friendly and ferocious inhabitants of the deep. more» Client: KQED Public Television Funding Agency: The Dow Chemical Company. Additional Major Support from: the William K. Bowes Jr. Foundation, Ann Bowers and The Robert Noyce Trust, the William and Gretchen Kimball Fund, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Professional Development, Community Outreach, Technology and Education, Informational Media

Learning Cooperative The Learning Cooperative Technology Innovation Challenge Grant sought to facilitate collaboration among teachers in three Midwestern School districts using video teleconferencing equipment and Internet technology. Rockman et al performed a formative and summative evaluation for this six-year grant and facilitated a comprehensive peer and professional review of teacher-created lessons during the final year of the grant. more» Client: Indianapolis Public Schools Funding Agency: U.S. Government: Technology Innovation Challenge Grant Program Topic: Professional Development

Learning Without Borders: Professional Development for Arts Educators The Learning Without Borders Professional Development program (LWOB-PD) was developed by the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts (EBCPA) and took place in four elementary schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) over three years. The LWOB-PD program focused on providing 4th-6th grade teachers with professional development in the arts in order to encourage them, and provide them with the tools, to integrate arts with their standard curriculum. Each teacher was also given the opportunity to have artist visits in his or her classroom in order to model arts instruction with students. more» Client: East Bay Center for the Performing Arts (EBCPA) Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education (ED): Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Professional Development

Learning Without Borders: Professional Development for Arts Educators - Phase 2 Learning Without Borders (LWOB) is a project for the integration of the arts in school's core Language Arts and Math curricula, developed by the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts (EBCPA). The LWOB Professional Development for Arts Educators (PDAE) program is a three-year program that targets 4th-6th grade teachers in elementary schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District in Richmond, California. Rockman's evaluation is framed by a series of research questions about the quality of the program, its direct impact on teachers, and its indirect impact on students. Evaluators are employing quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the LWOB-PD program in all three years. more» Client: East Bay Center for the Performing Arts Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education (ED): Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Professional Development

NIH Genome Science for Health The Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC)’s Genome Science for Health project has developed in-depth, web-based curriculum materials for secondary students and support materials for teachers. Working with experienced, or “master” classroom biology teachers, the GSLC created lessons, activities and demonstrations that addressed key concepts and learning objectives in cell biology and epigenetics. The end result was a comprehensive set of online curriculum modules with multiple interactive components and corresponding lesson plans, freely available to educators around the world through two websites: Learn.Genetics and Teach.Genetics. Rockman et al surveyed teachers about their implementation of the cells and epigenetics modules, and conducted two randomized control trials of the modules' effectiveness for teaching biology. more» Client: University of Utah's Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC) Funding Agency: National Institutes for Health (NIH): Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Topic: Professional Development

Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Evaluation Rockman et al conducted an evaluation of the Science and Health Education Partnership’s (SEP), SF Science program. SF Science is SEP's professional learning community (PLC) program. Launched in 2007, this program provides support for small groups of teachers from a school site to collaborate to improve science teaching and learning at their school. more» Client: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF): Science and Education Partnership (SEP) Funding Agency: Bechtel Jr. Foundation Topic: School Reform, Assessment, Informal Learning, Professional Development, School Services

Quality Teaching for English Language Learners (QTEL) The effectiveness of the professional development model was evaluated as it was implemented in New York City Schools. The study used an experimental design with teachers from five regions in the city randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. more» Client: WestEd Funding Agency: New York Department of Education (NYCDOE) Topic: School Reform, Professional Development

Rainforest Classroom Kit Evaluation Rockman et al (REA) conducted a summative evaluation of the California Academy of Sciences’ Rainforests of the World Kit for the 2010-2011 school year. The aim of the Rainforest Kit evaluation was to gather information on teachers’ access to and use of the kits, their impressions of the pre-implementation kit workshop, and on any short-term impacts of kit implementation on student interest and learning. more» Client: California Academy of Sciences Funding Agency: California Academy of Sciences Topic: Informal Learning, Museum, Professional Development

Scholar's Box The goal of the Scholar's Box project was to develop a national model to enable university scholars and departments to create reusable digital collections to positively impact campus academic work and K-12 education. more» Client: University of California, Berkeley - Interactive University Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education (ED): Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Topic: Professional Development, Technology and Education

Science Literacy Project Workshops Over the past decade, SoundVision Productions has offered a series of intensive, five-day science literacy training workshops for mid-career public radio reporters who are involved in reporting the sciences. The goal of the workshops was to enlarge the pool of skilled radio reporters and producers who bring science stories to the public radio audience. The workshops have been held in Boston, San Francisco, and Austin. more» Client: SoundVision Productions Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Energy Topic: TV/Radio, Professional Development, Informational Media

Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase 1: Developing an Effective School Plan (DESP) Rockman et al collaborated with WestEd to conduct a feasibility study of professional development around a comprehensive set of tools and activities for data-driven decision making. more» Client: U.S. Department of Education (ED): Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education (ED): Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Topic: School Reform, Professional Development

Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase 1: Roadmap/Dashboard REA worked with The EdVenture Group on a contract from the U.S. Department of Education’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to conduct a feasibility study of a set of consulting services designed to help schools monitor and implement their school improvement plans more effectively and efficiently. more» Client: U.S. Department of Education (ED): Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education (ED): Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Topic: School Reform, Professional Development, Technology and Education

Solar Schools Evaluation Rockman et al conducted an evaluation of Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E’s) Solar Schools program. Solar Schools was developed to educate students, teachers, and communities about: the importance of electricity as an energy form, the value of renewable solar energy in meeting current and future energy needs, and solar energy technologies. more» Client: Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Funding Agency: Bechtel Jr. Foundation Topic: Informal Learning, Professional Development, Community Outreach

Staff Development Study In 1999, APEX was considering entering the arena of online educational professional development, credentialing, and certification in collaboration with several institutional partners. APEX needed to define its market, identify the features and attributes of its offerings, position its courses and services against a growing set of competitors, and explore the pricing, marketing, and distribution of the products to teachers and school administrators. Rockman et al conducted phone interviews and collected survey ratings from district and building level staff development coordinators, technology coordinators, and teachers to help APEX identify the critical issues and inform the company’s plans and goals. more» Client: Apex Learning Funding Agency: Apex Learning Topic: Professional Development, Distance Learning, Informational Media

Students as Agents of Change Rockman et al served as external evaluator for the Students as Agents of Change Challenge Grant program implemented in Gary, Indiana. Graduating fifth-grade students attended summer technology camps with teachers from local middle schools. Campers then became technology helpers when they entered middle school and worked collaboratively with their teachers and fellow students to create presentations for elementary school students that showcased work created through the use of technology. more» Client: School Corporation, City of Gary, IN Funding Agency: U.S. Government: Technology Innovation Challenge Grant Program Topic: School Reform, Tech Reform, Instructional Materials/Programs, Professional Development

Study of the Availability and Effectiveness of Cultural Competency Training for California Teachers Rockman et al and WestEd were contracted by the California Commission for Teacher Credentialing to conduct a study of cultural competency training provided to teachers and administrators in ten culturally diverse California school districts reflecting the demography and geography of California. more» Client: California Commission of Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) Funding Agency: California Commission of Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) Topic: School Reform, Professional Development, Public/Educational Policy

Teacher Arts Institute In 2005, the National Endowment of the Arts awarded a dual contract to the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Western States Arts Federation to fund 12 week-long Arts Institutes for Teachers held in June - August 2005 in New England and western states. The study awarded to Rockman et al focused on an evaluation of the Institutes and the implementation of curriculum units developed as part of the Institutes. more» Client: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Funding Agency: NEA Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Professional Development

Teacher Institute for Science and Sustainability (TISS) 2011-12 REA conducted an evaluation of the third year of the Teacher Institute on Science and Sustainability (TISS). TISS is an overlapping, two-year teacher development program run by the California Academy of Sciences. The program is designed to improve science teaching and encourage teachers to incorporate the concept of sustainability into their teaching in the 3rd–5th grades in San Francisco schools and beyond. more» Client: California Academy of Sciences Funding Agency: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Topic: Museum, Professional Development

Teacher Institute for Science and Sustainability (TISS) Phase 2 In 2010-2011, REA conducted an evaluation of California Academy of Sciences Teacher Institute on Science and Sustainability (TISS) program. TISS is a two-year teacher development program of the California Academy of Sciences (CAS). more» Client: California Academy of Sciences Funding Agency: Moore Foundation Topic: Museum, Professional Development

The Smithsonian–National Museum of American History - Excellence in History Teaching Program The Smithsonian–National Museum of American History Excellence in History Teaching Program, funded by a gift from A. James Clark, provides professional development for over 3,000 teachers nationwide through two initiatives designed to energize social studies teachers and to promote hands-on, primary source-based instruction. more» Client: The Smithsonian–National Museum of American History Funding Agency: funded by a gift from A. James Clark Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Museum, Professional Development

TLCF: Technology Literacy Challenge Fund REA staff developed an evaluation handbook and conducted a series of workshops for the Indiana Department of Education to help prepare TLCF grant recipients to perform effective evaluations of their programs. more» Client: Indiana Department of Education Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education: TLCF Grant Program Topic: Professional Development

Transforming Teaching and Learning Through Technology (T4) Transforming Teaching And Learning Through Technology (T4) was a five-year Technology Innovation Grant awarded to 83 public schools in Chicago's Region 3 by the U.S. Department of Education. With nearly $8 million in funding for a five-year period, T4 was a comprehensive staff development plan designed to transform education in Region 3 schools. more» Client: Chicago Public Schools Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Topic: Professional Development, Technology and Education

Turnkey Solution/Phase 9 The West Virginia Turnkey Solution/Phase 9 Project, funded by a U.S. Department of Education Technology Innovation Challenge Grant, provided technology training to K-12 teachers and supported the development of interdisciplinary, standards- and Web-based lessons. REA conducted the summative evaluation of Phase 9, looking at the impact of the training on: classroom practice, leadership development among teachers, school culture, and student achievement. more» Client: West Virginia Department of Education Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education: Technology Innovation Challenge Grant Topic: Tech Reform, Instructional Materials/Programs, Professional Development

Urban Teacher Residency (UTR) Evaluation The New Visions for Public Schools-Hunter College Urban Teacher Residency (UTR) project is a partnership between New Visions, the Hunter College Schools of Education and Arts and Sciences, and the New York City Department of Education. Much like doctors, aspiring teachers serve as residents as part of their preparation. They are teachers of record for one class and considered members of a school’s teaching faculty, but also have the support of a trained mentor teacher. more» Client: New Visions for Public Schools and Hunter College Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education (ED): Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) Topic: School Reform, Professional Development, Public/Educational Policy

Water-Exploring Science in the Studio Rockman et al (REA) was contracted by the California College of the Arts (CCA) to conduct an evaluation of various course development and delivery processes, and instructional and assessment elements associated with the CCA’s Water: Exploring Science in the Studio project. more» Client: California College of the Arts Funding Agency: California College of the Arts Topic: Informal Learning, Professional Development

Web Institute for Teachers (WIT) Since its inception in 1997, The University of Chicago/Chicago Public Schools Internet Project (CUIP) trained over 700 Chicago-area teachers during its summer Web Institute for Teachers (WIT). more» Client: University of Chicago Funding Agency: University of Chicago, Joyce Foundation Topic: Professional Development, Technology and Education