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Evaluation and Communication

Evaluation

The Evaluation Program has oversight for the evaluation of the science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM) education initiatives of NSF and to coordinate the evaluation of corresponding initiatives in other Federal agencies. The Evaluation staff also works closely with education program staff to facilitate program monitoring and accountability.

Since a 1992 Congressional request for external evaluation of the education programs, third-party evaluations have been conducted or are underway on more than 25 of NSF's Education and Training programs. Generally, the evaluation process includes

  1. an understanding of the programmatic goals, objectives, and strategies;
  2. the identification of factors that facilitate and impede successful program implementation;
  3. the assessment of outputs and outcomes; and
  4. the communication of findings and recommendations.

This information is used by the Foundation to improve its education programs, by principal investigators as they direct their own education projects, and by policy makers, administrators, and members of the instructional workforce who implement and adapt the various products of NSF programs.

Special Data and Evaluation Handbook

Information about Evaluation

Examples of Successful Evaluative Research and Evaluation Capacity Proposals

In order to assist those preparing and submitting proposals to the Evaluative Research and Evaluation Capacity Building (EREC) program, we provide two examples of evaluative research projects that were funded in 2002. These projects were chosen from the larger set of successful EREC awards because they exemplify some balance of topics, education levels, and methods. Please note that your proposal and topic may differ substantially from the examples provided. The examples are offered to provide greater awareness of what constitutes a successful EREC proposal and to illuminate various aspects of the review and award decision. Below you will find two files for each project: (1) the proposal, containing abstract narrative, and references and (2) a summary of the comments of the merit reviewers and program officials who made award recommendations. Although the summaries draw on actual points made by the proposal reviewers, review panelists, and program officers, they are not the actual reviews. We recognize that all proposals and reviews have strengths and weaknesses. We therefore offer these only as examples of typical successful projects.

We hope prospective investigators will find these examples helpful in preparing proposals to the EREC program. Please check the Welcome section of the REC homepage for related materials concerning REC awards, program guidelines, and news items.

  1. Enhancing Evaluation Methods and Capacity: Principled Discovery, Evaluation Portfolio Management, and Taking Evaluation to the People
    Melvin M. Mark, Principal Investigator, Pennsylvania State University
    Proposal | Summary of the Proposal Review
  2. Building Evaluation Capacity with Theory-Based Evaluation
    Mary Ann Millsap, Principal Investigator, Abt Associates Inc.
    Proposal | Summary of the Proposal Review

Communication

The Communication Program coordinates activities within the EHR Directorate that advance understanding of education reform and the methods, policies, and practices under which effective reform takes place and is sustained.

REC communication and outreach activities are intended to enhance public understanding of SMET education reform strategies so that citizens can make informed choices about the direction of reform in their communities and schools. These activities increase the impact of EHR programs by providing to a variety of audiences (especially practitioners) information that summarizes and synthesizes the findings, outcomes, and lessons learned from EHR supported projects.

For More Information

Email
ckatzenm@nsf.gov

Contact
Evaluation & Communication Program, REC/EHR
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 855
Arlington, Virginia 22230
Phone (703) 292-8650
Fax: (703) 292-9046

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The Division of Research, Evaluation and Communication (REC)
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 855
Arlington, Virginia 22230, USA
[Tel: 703-292-8650]   [Fax: 703-292-9046]