Research in STEM Education
HRI conducts the National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education, periodically surveying more than 6,000 teachers in nationally representative samples of 1,000 or more schools. Staff have expertise in advanced statistical techniques, as well as qualitative analysis. In addition to its survey studies, HRI also conducts large scale research through classroom observations and teacher interviews. Other research focuses on identifying those policies and policy configurations that help and hinder science and mathematics education reform.
Evaluation of STEM Education Initiatives
HRI provides external evaluation services for many science and mathematics education initiatives across the United States. These projects range from evaluations of small, narrowly focused teacher enhancement efforts to large, national, cross-site evaluations of NSF-funded programs. HRI uses a multiple method, multiple sources approach, including survey, interview, document review, and observation techniques aimed at providing both formative and summative information to the projects.
Technical Assistance and Information Synthesis/Dissemination for STEM Education Initiatives
HRI provides direct technical assistance to clients engaged in science and mathematics education initiatives. In addition, HRI creates and disseminates technical assistance resources for use by the field at large. These include evaluation handbooks and instruments, on-line databases containing reviews of professional development materials, and web-based handbooks designed to help initiatives identify their technical assistance needs and align resources to meet those needs.
