This document provides information about an evaluation of a collaborative learning program at a middle school with approximately 1,100 students, 75 teachers, and a diverse student population that is 60% Hispanic and 18% African American. The evaluation aims to understand the factors influencing students' collaborative experiences and teachers' perceptions of the program's effectiveness. Data collection involves surveys with closed and open-ended questions administered to teachers, as well as interviews with school administrators about the program's goals and implementation. Emerging themes from interviews include the importance of experienced teachers and the diversity of the district. The evaluation will inform decisions about expanding the program to more schools.

1. Becky Doane

2. Introduction
Approximately
1,100 students
Community
Setting
Middle School
Grade 6-8
75 classroom
teachers
60% Hispanic, 18%
African America
80% Low
Socioeconomic

3. Evaluation
Evaluation Process
Evaluation Questions
What are the factors
that influence the
students collaborative
experience in the
classroom,?
How do the teachers
perceive the
effectiveness of the
student collaborative
program?
Program in second
year of
implementation
Evaluation for
implementation in
more schools.

4. Survey Instrument
 Closed Ended Questions
 Teacher Information
 Ease of Use
 Open ended Questions
 Benefits to students
 Teacher perceptions
______________________________________________________________________
12-16 were changed to open ended questions.
12. Explain how this program has affected your classroom instruction and
achievement.
13. Explain how this program has affected the dynamics of your classroom.
14. Explain how this program was a benefit/detriment to your students in the
classroom?
15. Is engagement important in education? How did this program affect engagement
in your classroom?
16. Explain how this program has affected the various subgroups in your classroom.

5. Stakeholder Interviewed
Program Evaluation Initiator
Chief Deputy Superintendent
Educator for several years
Deputy Superintendent for several years
Responsibilities for program evaluations

6. Interview Questions
1. What are the sociological factors prevalent in this district that can affect student learning?
2. What effects have you noticed these sociological factors having on student success?
•
What is the best way to mitigate these factors and help students succeed?
3. Using collaborative learning is a focus in many of the schools in this district, so what effect is the collaborative learning progr am expected to have on student
success?
4. How has collaborative learning alleviated the effects of sociological factors in student academic achievement?
5. Do you believe that collaborative learning is accomplishing it intended goals in student achievement?
•
Does it level the playing field?
6. Many political factors influence education in the twenty-first century, one of which is the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). How has the NCLB affected education
and specifically this district since its enactment?
7. What part did the NCLB and the measurement of adequate yearly progress (AYP) play in the creation and implementation of the collab orative learning program?
8. What other government policies do you believe influenced the implementation of this program, or will influence the continuation of it in the future?
9. The district implemented this program during a time of drastic budget cuts to the school districts, how did the budget cuts affec t the implementation of this
program?
•
Have you planned for future budget cuts regarding the continuation of the collaborative learning program?
•
What are any affects you see in the future to this program from the budget cuts?
10. What are the districts procedures for resource allocation and management ?
•
How does the district decide which programs gets monetary support or resources?
11. Knowing that resource allocations affect programs due to the need for supplies and educator pay, what are the district’s plans for th is programs sustainability?
•
What is the plan for program sustainability if faced with adverse resource allocation or inappropriate management?
12. The financial stability in education has been shaky for several years due to the economic downfall. How has the economic status of the families in this district
influenced the implementation of programs like the collaborative learning program?
13. The collaborative learning program was implemented to help students learn from one another, what are your future plans and desire s for this program?

7. Emerging Themes
 Several themes emerged
through my interview
questions…
 Experienced teachers was one
theme.
 Another theme was the diversity
of the district employees and
students.

8. Conclusion
Insight
Additional Area of
interests
• Administrators view of
educators
• Teacher pay vs evaluation
• School sociological makeup
• Students growth vs
achievement
• Teacher resistance
• Experience level
• Program development