Evaluative Research Capacity Building in the Mississippi Delta

该项目的目的是培养密西西比河三角洲五所地区学院(包括三所历史上的黑人学院和大学(HBCU))的教职员工对关键的STEM问题进行评价性研究的兴趣和能力。之所以选择这些学院，是因为尽管三角洲学校的大部分教师和管理人员都是从这些学院毕业的，但毕业生L并没有定期参与对STEM政策和做法的全面评估。对这些人员来说，尤其重要的是围绕学生评估和表现的问题，特别是在新的严格评估指导方针的情况下。该项目将通过建立一个由国家认可的评估者/研究人员指导的教师专业“学习社区”，帮助教师调查大规模的学生评估问题。这些导师最初将担任教员，后来将作为合作者/顾问，通过目前的高风险测试和问责程序，设计和实施关于学生学习问题的研究建议。

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.