Assessing the Impact of the National Science Foundation's Urban Systemic Initative

拟议的研究将1)评估USI项目能够影响国家科学基金驱动系统的程度，以及驱动因素之间的因果关系是否可以用可衡量的方式确定；2)检查中小学课程改革的影响；3)调查领导、地方资源、各级政策和利益相关者参与努力提高学生数学和科学成绩的相互依存作用。四个USI城市（芝加哥，迈阿密，孟菲斯和埃尔帕索）将进行比较，包括整个地区以及早期和晚期队列小学和中学的样本。提出的研究设计是一个由三个调查组成的多方法策略：1)数学和科学素养研究——开发潜在变量（驱动因素）之间假设因果关系的结构方程模型；2)制定的数学和科学课程研究——使用已经实施的建构主义课程的措施；3)政策研究——进行政策分析，将检查州和国家的协调和一致性影响地区和学校的教育政策。

The proposed study will 1)assess the extent to which USI projects have been able to effect the system of NSF drivers and whether causal relationships among the drivers can be identified in measurable terms, 2) examine impacts of curriuculum reform in elementary and secondary schools, and 3) investigate the interdependet roles of leadership, local resources, policies at all levels, and stakeholders involvement in efforts to improve student achievement in mathematics and science. Four USI cities (Chicago, Miami, Memphis, and El Paso will be compared, both district-wide and in a sample of early and late cohort elementary and secondary schools. The research design proposed is a multiple method strategy consisting of three investigations:1) Mathematics and Science Attainment study -- developing a structural equation model of the hypothesized causal relationship among the latent varibles (Drivers)2) Study of the Enacted Mathematics and Science Curriuculum -- using the Measures of constructivist curricula have been implemented3) Policy Study - conducting a policy analysis that will examine coordination and alignment in state and national educationalpolicies affecting districts and schools.