Evaluative Research Capacity Building in the Mississippi Delta

该项目的目的是发展的兴趣和能力，在密西西比三角洲，包括三个历史上的黑人学院和大学（HBCU）的五个区域学院的教师之间的关键STEM问题的评价性研究。之所以选择这些学院，是因为尽管他们毕业于三角洲学校的大多数教师和管理人员，但这些毕业生并没有定期参与对STEM政策和实践的综合评估。对这些人员来说，特别重要的是围绕学生评估和表现的问题，特别是根据新的严格评估准则。该项目将通过发展由国家认可的评估员/研究人员指导的教师专业“学习社区”，使教师能够调查大规模的学生评估问题。这些导师将最初作为讲师，后来作为合作者/顾问，教师，因为他们设计和实施研究建议的问题，在学生学习通过当前的高风险测试和问责程序。

The purpose of this project is to develop an interest in and capacity for evaluative studies of critical STEM issues among faculty at five regional colleges in the Mississippi Delta, including three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These colleges were chosen because, although they graduate most of the teachers and administrators working in the Delta schools, the graduates l have not been routinely involved in the comprehensive evaluation of STEM policies and practices. Of particular importance for these personnel are issues surrounding student assessment and performance, especially in light of new stringent assessment guidelines. The project will prepare faculty to investigate large-scale student assessment issues through the development of a faculty professional "learning community" mentored by nationally recognized evaluators/ researchers. These mentors will serve initially as instructors and later as collaborators/consultants to the faculty members as they design and implement research proposals on issues in student learning through current high stakes testing and accountability procedures.