2006 IC Effectiveness Study Page

Dr. Gary Gottfredson,
University of Maryland
Co-Principle Investigator
Curriculum Vita

General

In the Spring of 2006, Researchers at the University of Maryland, College Park were awarded a $1.87 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute for Education Sciences (IES) for "An Experimental Study of the Effectiveness of Instructional Consultation Teams." The grant is a partnership between the University of Maryland and the Prince William County School District.

Professors Sylvia Rosenfield and Gary D. Gottfredson at the University of Maryland have utilized the funding to conduct an essential investigation into the effectiveness of Instructional Consultation teams at various local schools. The study, which will be one of the first truly randomized experiments of its kind, is in its initial phases.

Project

The project revolves around elementary schools (K-5), and is in the process of evaluating differences between schools randomly assigned to participate in the Instructional Consultation Team program. In all, the sample includes over 40 schools in what is one of the most comprehensive examinations ever undertaken in the United States.

The goal of Instructional Consultation Teams is to generate new ideas and techniques for teachers. According to Dr. Todd Gravois, Project Director, the project aims to initiate a process in which teachers come to question their own instruction, and challenge themselves to be innovative, rather than sending problem children to outside resources. The school taking part in the IC Teams program train numerous teachers who then transmit that knowledge to their respective schools. The IC Teams program also promotes a more open and supportive atmosphere so that teachers help each other become better, more effective instructors.

Another component of the program is a "facilitator", a trained expert who assists with implementation in each participating school. The facilitator serves as a resource for those teachers in schools that are involved in the project as well as those who wish to learn more. An important point is that within schools involved in the IC Teams project, teachers have the option not to take part in the program. The facilitator also attends numerous training sessions provided by the directors of the IC Teams project in order to stay abreast of developments and techniques in the field as well as to learn methods to help effectively perform their tasks.

The project is in its second year, and is scheduled to continue for a total of two more years. Several outcomes are being measured, including teacher beliefs, student achievement, special education placement, and organizational focus. Teachers respond to questions regarding an evaluation of their own instruction, as well as an evaluation of each student for which they are responsible.

At each wave of data collection, analyses will indicate certain of the effects of the treatment. The primary method of analysis is Hierarchical Linear Modeling, assessing between school differences to determine the overall influence of the Instructional Consultation Team program.

Dr. Todd Gravois

Curriculum Vita

Dr. Sylvia Rosenfield
University of Maryland
Principle Investigator
Curriculum Vita.