OVERVIEW OF THE PROMISE RESEARCH AND EVALUATION DESIGN

The first phase of the PROMISE Initiative is a three-year pilot study of a principles-based, co-design process leading to implementation of PROMISE plans in the 15 PROMISE schools across six school districts. A PROMISE Research and Evaluation component has been established to describe the evaluation of the PROMISE initiative. The PROMISE Research and Evaluation component addresses three questions:

QUESTION

1. What is the PROMISE model?
2. What has occurred in schools as a result of
   engagement in the PROMISE model?
3. What has been the impact of PROMISE on
   student language, academic learning and engagement, and preparation for 21st century citizenship?

The PROMISE Research and Evaluation Team is led by the following key researchers:

Laurie Olsen, Ph.D., California Tomorrow

Magaly Lavadenz, Ph.D., Loyola Marymount University

Kathryn Lindholm-Leary, Ph.D., San José State University

An important and integral part of the PROMISE initiative is for us to learn together about the quality and impact of PROMISE through rigorous research and evaluation. We are using an external research and evaluation team to conduct a three-year pilot study followed by a five-year field trial that uses rigorous research designs and methods based on the Institute of Educational Sciences (IES) standards for research. These standards require that research conducted on educational interventions use experimental designs, preferably randomized trials. Our experimental research in this initiative is designed to make claims about whether or not PROMISE works and with what impact on schools, classrooms, teachers, parents, and most important on student achievement and performance.

The PROMISE pilot study is a preliminary study to try out or test the implementation of the eight core principles in schools and the support necessary for their implementation. The pilot study is designed to discover what works and identify any problems that need to be addressed before the main field test begins. The pilot study enables PROMISE staff and school communities to make necessary adjustments, improvements, and further development to implementation and external support to schools. The pilot also provides an opportunity to test all the research instruments and procedures.

Click to download the PROMISE Research & Evaluation Design Brochure