Academy for Educational Development

AED evaluated the effectiveness of the ARC-ORNL summer institute for math/science/technology. The institute seeks to address the declining availability of a scientifically literate workforce in the U.S., as well as to improve professional development to increase student achievement in these areas. AED’s evaluation used a mixed-method approach to determine how the institute has influenced participants who attended between 1997 and 2004. AED surveyed and interviewed students to learn about the effect of the institutes on their attitudes about SMT, as well as how the institute impacted student entrance into and completion of postsecondary institutions. Teacher surveys and interviews assessed the institute’s effect on their classroom teaching strategies, professional development, and networking and sharing with colleagues in the school and district. The final report will include recommendations for ongoing evaluation.