Examples of IRC Projects

Below is a brief description of several IRC projects. Where applicable, links are provided to on-line reports maintained by clients.

Schools of Promise (Ohio Department of Education)

Conducted eight case studies on “Schools of Promise” schools in 2005. Did random sampling of eligible schools. Developed detailed interview protocols and surveys for principals, teachers, students, and parents. Conducted two-day site visits at selected schools. Wrote detailed case studies on each site. See http://www.ode.state.oh.us and search for keyword PROMISE. Reading/Language Arts case studies written by IRC are mid-way down the page. IRC presented together with two principals from the studied schools at the Ohio Association of Administrators of State and Federal Education Programs (OAASFEP) in October 2006. The Powerpoint and handout used in the presentation are available for on-line viewing.

Ohio’s Challenge Grant Program (Center for Learning Excellence at Ohio State University)

challengegrantreports.html since 2002 and also helped with Partnerships for Success in 2003-2004.

Ohio Board of Regents’ Improving Teacher Quality State Grants (Ohio State University and Ohio Dominican University

Currently providing external evaluation services to three projects within this initiative. These projects are designed to strengthen skills of math and science teachers and grade levels served range from early childhood through high school. IRC has worked with one of the projects, Physical Science Modeling at Ohio State University, since 2004.

NSF GK-12 Fellows Program (Ohio State University)

IRC began helping the Ohio State University’s Department of Chemistry with various grant projects in 2003. Their GK-12 Fellows Program initially was funded in 1999 and places science graduate students in selected Columbus Public Schools’ elementary classrooms.

NSF Urban Systemic Program (Columbus Public Schools)

IRC was the external evaluator of Columbus Public Schools’ Urban Systemic Program (USP) from 2002-2006. Designed to improve science and mathematics instruction, much of the program focused on teacher professional development. IRC was recently asked to provide continuing coverage of the district’s efforts to promote professional learning communities. The district is attempting to expand its teacher study group process (one of its USP successes).

Ohio Math Science Partnership (Columbus City Schools)

IRC is also the external evaluator of Central Ohio’s Math Science Partnership which involves Columbus City Schools, South-Western, Hamilton, and Whitehall school districts with support being provided by Otterbein College, Capital University, and the Teaching & Learning Collaborative. This initiative is further expanding teachers’ understanding and use of the Ohio’s math modules.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Partnerships (Duke University and North Carolina Central University)

Between 2002-2006, IRC provided evaluation services to two W.K. Kellogg Foundation grants designed to develop after-school programs designed to strengthen the math and reading skills of disadvantaged minority youth. IRC has designed observation and survey tools, conducted interviews, and written formative and annual reports. On these projects, Dr. Upton collaborates with an on-site consultant, Mr. Dawayne Whittington, who attends project meetings and conducts site observations. IRC continued assisting the Duke University project through 2007 (see The Evaluation Exchange for project highlights http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/eval/issue29/pp1.html).

Various Additional Projects

IRC has assisted a wide variety of additional clients with evaluation planning, data collection, and report writing services. Currently, IRC is working with the Teaching & Learning Collaborative on an elementary mathematics project and the Hamilton County Family Violence Prevention Project. IRC has also provided services to the Singing Angels in Cleveland. Communication and services with many IRC clients take place solely via e-mail and telephone.