UEPC Projects

Evaluation Interactive Tutoring English Language Learner Software Program

The Utah Education Policy Center was contracted by Granite School District to evaluate their Interactive English Language Learner Tutoring Software Program in thirteen schools. The multi-year evaluation plan includes a quasi-experimental design to study the use and benefits of the ILE software program implementation across the thirteen participating schools in the district. The study includes surveys and interviews with school administrators and teachers and analyses of student performance data.

Local District Responsiveness: Who Governs, Who Participates, and Who Gets Represented? Policy Report

The Utah Education Policy Center was contracted by the cities of Holladay City, South Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake County to conduct a study of issues related to school district governance. The report was commissioned by the inter-local group to inform their decisions about whether to divide Granite School District. Complementing another study of the financial feasibility of dividing Granite, this report provides information about local district responsiveness and organizational measures, including district governance considerations. Rather than a study of current conditions within a particular district, the inter-local group opted for a review of current research on these subjects. Consequently, we reviewed research on school district governance, participation, and responsiveness in relation to Granite School District within the state and national context. Within this discussion we present evidence about how various district governance and organizational features have affected access and performance outcomes of children.

Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) Evaluation

The Utah Education Policy Center was contracted by the Utah State Office of Education to evaluate the implementation of CSR in eight Utah schools that received funding between 2005 and 2007. The state-wide evaluation includes a survey of all CSR school administrators and faculty, site visits where associates from the UEPC conducted interviews with administrators and a sample of faculty members, and an analysis of the Utah CRT results.

Spy Hop Productions Evaluation

The Utah Education Policy Center is serving as the external evaluator for Spy Hop Productions, a youth media organization whose mission is to cultivate the visions and voices of an emerging generation via the big screen, the airwaves, and the world-wide-web. The UEPC is evaluating four core Spy Hop programs—Youth Media Apprenticeship, Loud & Clear, Documentary Arts, and PitchNic. Building on previous evaluation efforts, the evaluation services include consulting and feedback regarding (1) access and opportunities for targeted youth participation in the four core programs, (2) the degree to which the programs promote positive youth development, and (3) the degree to which Spy Hop Productions is meeting community needs and planning for sustainability.

Using Research to Inform Policy

Through workshops and technical assistance activities, the Utah Education Policy Center provided the Utah PTA with strategies for identifying and using research to make good decisions about policy and practice.

Davis School District

The Utah Education Policy Center was added to the consultant pool for Davis School District to assist the district in the development and writing of narrative and/or evaluation plans for project proposals written for federal U.S. Department of Education grant competitions and other grant competitions as needed, and provide technical assistance and/or evaluation services for submitted proposals for which grants are awarded. The team of research associates within the college of education, as well as other departments across campus, will provide support to the Davis School District in the specific areas of evaluation design, instrument development and training, data collection, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analyses, and reporting.

Utah Charter School Study
The Utah Education Policy Center was contracted by the Utah State Legislature to conduct a study of charter schools in Utah. The purpose of the study was to obtain information about the purpose authorization, governance, and training associated with charter schools, as well as information about parents' decisions to enroll in or withdraw their students from charter schools.

Closing Educational Achievement Gaps for Latina/o Students in Utah. Policy Report
This report was commissioned by Centro de la Familia de Utah, and co-authored by Enrique Alemán and Andrea Rorrer.