R. Schwartz

Dr. Renee' Schwartz | Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences

3139 Wood Hall | Phone: (269) 387-5660 | FAX: (269) 387-2909 | r.schwartz@wmich.edu

Evaluation Work

I am external evaluator for the following projects:

Illinois Mathematics Science Partnerships project: Warren Township High School District #121 Math and Science Partnership.

This project is funded through the US Department of Education. The Partnership is among science and mathematics teachers in the Warren Township school district (district #121 in Illinois), The Illinois Institute of Technology, and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. The PI is Dr. David Abler of IMSA.

Project Description: The Warren Township IMSP is structured to provide mathematics and science teachers with the opportunity to learn about scientific and mathematical inquiry and the natures of science and mathematics for the purpose of improving student achievement. Through a 10-day summer institute, academic year follow up meetings, and action research, the Warren Township IMSP aims to provide teachers the tools to engage their students by using a thorough approach to understanding 1) What scientific and mathematical inquiry and the natures of science and mathematics means; 2)Why that understanding is important, and 3)How that understanding strengthens the ability to solve problems. The Partnership’s implementation facilitates aligning instruction with State and National Standards. As a part of this alignment, it will hopefully foster an integrated math and science curriculum where scientific and mathematical inquiry and the natures of science and mathematics forms not only a unifying thread among the science and mathematics courses offered in the curriculum, but is, in fact the very basis and foundation from which science and mathematics concepts are taught.

The evaluation utilizes qualitative and quantitative measures to target the following goals of the partnership:

Summer Institute Goals:

Development of teachers’ understanding of critical unifying concepts and processes, scientific and mathematical inquiry and natures of science and mathematics.
Development of teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and skills related to scientific and mathematical inquiry and the natures of science and mathematics within the context of instruction related to foundational science and mathematics concepts.
Development of teachers’ abilities to integrate the teaching and learning of mathematics and science.

Academic year Goals:

Development of teachers’ abilities to enhance students’ understanding ofscientific and mathematical inquiry, natures of science and mathematics, scientific and mathematical concepts, and the application of mathematics in explaining these concepts.>
Development of teachers’ abilities to enhance students’ ability to perform scientific inquiry and mathematics using inquiry-based strategies.
Students demonstrate a better understanding of standards-based science and mathematics concepts including scientific and mathematical inquiry and the natures of science and mathematics.
Students demonstrate an increased ability to perform scientific inquiry and mathematics.
Students including special education, low income and Hispanic students demonstrate early indications of increased motivation and achievement in the areas of science and mathematics.

Data relevant to teacher development include: Pre/Post open-ended surveys (VNOS, VOSI, VMPS), interviews, lesson descriptions, videotaped classroom instruction, and reflections, Pre/post Survey of Enacted Curriculum (SEC).

Data relevant to student achievement include: Pre/post open-ended surveys (VNOS, VOSI, VMPS), pre/post science/mathematical attitudes survey, state assessments

Past Evaluation Work

Teacher enhancement (FIPSE) (2003). SUNY-Cortland. External evaluator for effectiveness of program on teacher learning about the nature of science. Data sources were pre/post VNOS.
US-ED Learning a Second Culture (FIPSE). (2001-2002)

Program incorporates environmental science and a term abroad experience (Tech de Monterey, Guaymas, Mexico) for the development of global awareness and cultural sensitivity of undergraduate science majors. Evaluation responsibilities included assessment of year three cohorts, site visit to Campus Guaymas, and analysis of all data collected over the three years of the project.

GK-12 Project (NSF funded). Designed project evaluation protocol and instruments; helped conduct year one evaluation.

Steppingstones of Technology Innovations for Students with Disabilities (NSF evaluation). Technology intended to provide visually impaired students access to Cartesian graphs through tactile senses. Helped design evaluatioin protocol and instruments.

Web-based Force Feedback (NSF evaluation). Technology incorporated a force feedback mouse in learning physics and mathematics concepts. Helped design evaluation protocol and instruments.

North Bend School District. (1998-1999). North Bend, OR. Designed and conducted evaluation of the district’s elementary science program involving two science specialists.

Mallinson Institute for Science Education