Category: Evaluation and Research

The majority of Rockman’s work falls within this category. We conduct studies that evaluate the quality of services or products, giving clients information they can use to improve those services or products or report the outcomes of an intervention to funders. Our goal is always to help our clients answer important questions. Sometimes that is accomplished through straightforward evaluation using qualitative and quantitative strategies, and sometimes it calls for experimental or quasi-experimental studies.

American Museum of Natural History (AMNH): Space Shows 1 & 2 Rockman et al evaluated two dome-style planetarium shows created by the American Museum for Natural History. Rockman's evaluation of "The Search for Life" involved research at four sites around the country and included comparisons of comparable programs. more» Client: American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Funding Agency: American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Topic: Museum

21st Century Biology The 21st Century Biology project provided long-term teacher professional development. Three cohorts of 24 teachers participated in: (1) a 2-week intensive Summer Institute that updated their content knowledge for topics covered by the five Utah Core Curriculum Standards, offered opportunities to interact with University scientists, provided experiences in inquiry-based learning, highlighted topics relevant to students’ lives, modeled culturally-sensitive instruction, incorporated appropriate use of technology, engaged them in learning curriculum design models and developing model lessons, and facilitated formation of professional learning groups; and (2) follow-up workshops to continue the work begun during the Summer Institute. more» Client: University of Utah: Genetics Science Learning Center (GSLC) Funding Agency: Utah State Office of Education Topic: Assessment, Instructional Materials/Programs, Professional Development

A Computer for Every Teacher A Computer for Every Teacher was a project of the Indiana Department of Education to provide each teacher and administrator in four schools with a computer and printer for their personal, professional use. more» Client: Indiana Department of Education Funding Agency: Topic: School Reform, Tech Reform, Professional Development, Technology and Education

A New Day for Learning: Phase II REA conducted a series of focus groups and usability testing sessions for the George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) in San Francisco, CA and Sacramento, CA to explore reactions to the content, organization and navigation of A New Day for Learning, an Edutopia "micro-site." more» Client: George Lucas Education Foundation Funding Agency: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Topic: Web Sites, Technology and Education

Advanced Digital Pathways Program BAVC’s Advanced Digital Pathways (ADP) program supports low-income and disadvantaged urban youth from the San Francisco Bay Area, while simultaneously addressing the need to diversify the IT workforce. REA is evaluating the impact of the ADP program on students’ technology interest, career aspirations, digital arts proficiency, and job skills. The evaluation also considers the community established to support these endeavors. more» Client: Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Elementary, Secondary, & Informal Education (ESIE) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Technology and Education

America's Instructional Television Online/Educators Tools Online Opening Links to Standards (AITOL/E-TOOLS) Project The America's Instructional Television Online/Educators Tools Online Opening Links to Standards (AITOL/E-TOOLS) Project, funded by CPB's Future Fund, was a partnership between WSIU at Southern Illinois University and Kansas City Public Television (KCPT) that explored a new model for delivering educational services and programming to schools. more» Client: WSIU Public Broadcasting, Kansas City Public Television (KCPT) Funding Agency: Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Web Sites, Technology and Education, School Services

Animation Program The goal of the ACME Network’s ACME Animation program is to create a permanent continuum for skill development, school achievement, and career success in art and animation for diverse and economically disadvantaged youth and young adults. REA served as the evaluator this program. more» Client: The ACME Network Funding Agency: The ACME Network Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning, Web Sites, Distance Learning

Anytime Anywhere Learning A three-year effort (1996-1999), funded by Microsoft and Toshiba, to study the introduction of ubiquitous laptop computing to U.S. public and independent schools. more» Client: Microsoft Corporation, Toshiba America Funding Agency: Microsoft Corporation, Toshiba America Topic: School Reform, Learning with Laptops

Behavioral Interventions in Autism (BIA) Rockman et al worked with The University of Massachusetts (UMass) to conduct the external evaluation of the Behavior Analysis Autism Training Project funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education (FIPSE). more» Client: University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Topic: Professional Development, Distance Learning

Big Read Public Library Study In collaboration with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Arts, REA surveyed some 14,000 public libraries across the U.S. that received The Big Read Audio Guides. The initial surveys were designed to learn how libraries might use the resources, with regular patrons, book clubs, schools, and in other literary and literacy outreach efforts. more» Client: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Funding Agency: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Topic: Informal Learning, Community Outreach