Assessing the Effectiveness of K-12 Programs
In Engineering and Engineering Technology
With the growing national interest in offering outreach
programs to students in
K – 12 schools in engineering and engineering technology, it becomes
increasingly important for all stakeholders to assess the potential
effectiveness of these programs before implementing them.
The use of a specific rubric or listing of criteria in evaluating these programs is a good start, as it provides a consistency in the process and a proven method of organizing information for discussions and decision-making.
K – 12 Outreach Programs typically are designed and
delivered by post-secondary institutions or business/industry. They are
usually intended to increase enrollments in specific post-secondary programs
in engineering, engineering technology, mathematics, and science.
There are two categories of these K – 12 Outreach Programs. Curricular-based
programs schedule students into classes during the instructional school day
and test them on the content which they have been taught. Extra-curricular
activities are additional opportunities in which students may interact with
individuals from colleges and business; these activities include job
shadowing, mentoring, competitions, guess speakers and summer/after school
enrichment activities.
The challenge is determining the effectiveness and value of such programs.
One might ask, “Who should determine the value and what set of standards
will be used?” Should it be the developers of these programs, those who
deliver the programs in K – 12 schools, parents/students, K-12 school
officials, members of industry, or postsecondary personnel, based on their
impressions, or anecdotal comments?
The answer is a neutral, criteria-based rubric which is intended to provide
a simple “checklist of categories” to assess the effectiveness of these
programs should be used.
The Project Lead The Way® Criteria for Evaluating K – 12 Programs in
Engineering and Engineering Technology offers such a rubric for your review.