Instrumentation: Assessing the Impact of the National Science Foundation's Urban Systemic Initiative. Research Monograph

This monograph contains the instruments designed or modified by the research staff of the Urban Systemic Initiative (USI) during the course of the evaluation research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Because the project was designed to determine the impact of USI reform in four cities and to test the NSF Six-Driver model for reform, it was necessary to create instruments that would elicit information to meet both research goals. The document is organized into three sections corresponding to the three studies that constitute the scope and focus of the research. There are three studies (the Math and Science Attainment Study, the Study of the Enacted Curriculum, and the Policy Study), but the Policy Study is made up of multiple studies related to policy. All of the instruments in this collection were designed to measure aspects of the NSFs six project drivers or to support the collection of data related to the drivers (e.g., cover letters for studies). Instruments, which include observation protocols, surveys, interview protocols, and focus group guides, are grouped into: (1) informed consent letters and documents; (2) statements about confidentiality and protection of participants; (3) the Mathematics/Science Attainment Study; (4) the Study of the Enacted Curriculum; and (5) the various aspects of the Policy Study. (Contains 10 references.) (SLD)