LEED Sacramento (MS Word)

Grantee: LEED Sacramento PR Award Number: U411B120043 Project Title: Capital Region Project Lead the Way Network. A quasi experimental design for Project Lead the Way. Project Director: Linda Christopher Amount of Award: $5,082,915 Length of Award: 5 Years Absolute Priority: Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education List of Partners: Official partners: LEED/P-20 Council for the region, Capital Region PLTW Network

Other partners: Gargani + Company PLTW National Organization. Project Website: Description of Project: In order to address the urgent need for data and evidence to substantiate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pathways for high school students, this proposal submitted by Linking Education and Economic Development (LEED) – a nonprofit 501 (c) 3, will evaluate a nationally used elective program for Engineering in grades 9 thru 12. Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a turn- key curriculum for high schools students and implemented in 40 high schools in the Capital Region of Northern California is the location and population for the quasi-experimental research study being proposed. Research activities include studying cohorts of students each randomly assigned to a PLTW academy or pathway program from their freshman year through senior year. Project objectives include gathering data to determine the validity and efficacy of the program regarding student progress (including high need/nontraditional students) in mathematics & science, and its effectiveness for advancing students towards success in college and careers in STEM fields. Students test results, teaching logs, and videos of classroom instruction are the three sources of data that will be used to determine the magnitude of impact. Targeted number of students served in the project is 1600 comprised of 40 cohorts with 40 students in each. Grant funding will provide computer hardware, software, technology supplies, and professional development for teachers. Teachers’ salaries are matching funds provided by each collaborating school district. Official partners are LEED/P-20 Council for the region, Capital Region PLTW Network of 40 high schools; other partners are Gargani + Company – statisticians/research experts, PLTW National Organization. Project Evaluator: John Gargani [email protected] Organization: Gargani + Company, Inc