Evaluation of the National Science Foundation's Science and Technology Centers Program

为期12个月的项目评估将评估科技中心（STC）项目的有效性和影响。国家科学基金会于1987年创建了科学技术中心计划，并于1989年为11个中心提供资金，1990年又为14个中心提供资金。 这是STC计划中进行的第一次计划级评估。STC计划评估将收集绩效数据，这些数据表明STC计划实现其目标的程度和方式。 方案目标是：雄心勃勃的研究，需要更长的持续时间和更高的支持水平的中心为基础的研究;转移知识和技术从学术环境到社会的其他部门，如工业和政府实验室;并准备毕业生在许多层次的研究和其他职业在技术社会。 独立评估承包商Abt Associates将构建该计划的详细历史，设计与三个计划目标相关的绩效指标，编译和分析现有绩效数据，收集和分析其他数据，并以计划简介的形式综合这些信息。 这些调查结果将提交给一个专家小组解释。 将编制技术和摘要最后报告，并分发给适当的受众。 评估结果将为NSF提供有助于STC计划的有效管理和未来计划的信息，并将帮助STC主任改善各自中心的运作。评估将提供有关STC计划对NSF高级管理层的影响的信息;国家科学委员会;行政和国会成员;研究界;以及工业部门和科技教育企业的有关各方。STC计划评估是NSF为响应1993年政府绩效和结果法案的通过而进行的四个试点项目之一。 在该计划评估期间获得的经验将有助于NSF准备全面实施该法案。

This 12 month program evaluation will assess the effectiveness and impact of the Science and Technology Centers (STC) Program. The National Science Foundation created the Science and Technology Centers Program in 1987, and initiated funding for eleven Centers in 1989 and an additional fourteen Centers in 1990. This is the first program-level evaluation conducted in the STC Program. The STC Program evaluation will gather performance data that indicates the degrees to which and the ways in which the STC Program is meeting its goals. Program goals are: ambitious research that requires the longer duration and higher support levels of center-based research; transferring knowledge and technology from the academic setting to other sectors of society such as industry and government laboratories; and preparing graduates at many levels for research and other careers in a technological society. Abt Associates, an independent evaluation contractor, will construct a detailed history of the program, design performance indicators associated with the three program goals, compile and analyze existing performance data, collect and analyze additional data, and synthesize this information in the form of a program profile. These findings will be submitted to an expert panel for interpretation. Technical and summary final reports will be produced and disseminated to appropriate audiences. The results of this evaluation will provide NSF with information useful to the effective management of and future plans for the STC Program and will also assist the STC Directors as they seek to improve the operations of their respective Centers. The evaluation will provide information on the impact of the STC Program to NSF's senior management; the National Science Board; members of the Administration and Congress; the research community; and interested parties in the industrial sector and the science and technology education enterprise. The STC program evaluation is one of four pilot projects being conducted by NSF in response to passage of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. The experience gained during this program evaluation will help NSF prepare for full agency-wide implementation of the Act.