| Student achievement, as measured by a variety of standardized test scores, has declined for the last two decades. In an attempt to reverse this trend, the federal government has funded numerous Eisenhower grants aimed at improving teacher effectiveness in the classroom and ultimately increasing the level of student achievement. The Eisenhower program is limited to teacher training, and a popular method for implementing this training has been the summer teacher workshop. This study is an evaluation of a typical Eisenhower-funded summer training program for teachers known as the Delta Area Physics, Physical Science, and Applied Mathematics Workshop (DAP).; The DAP workshops were 3-week intensive training sessions for science and math teachers. They were specifically designed to increase: (a) conceptual knowledge of physics concepts, (b) use of laboratory tools and activities, (c) good teaching methodologies, (d) participation in professional organizations, and (e) positive attitudes toward teaching. Thus the primary focus of the DAP was on positive teacher outcomes.; A process/product evaluation study was conducted to determine the extent to which the workshops have succeeded in producing these outcomes. The major element of this study was a pre/post survey of participating teachers which was statistically analyzed to assess changes in teacher concept knowledge, tool usage, methodologies, professional participation, and attitudes. The data from the survey were assessed using 1-way, repeated measures ANOVA, subjective observations of descriptive statistics, and a review of teacher comments to open-ended questions included in the survey.; The evaluation showed clearly that significant improvements were made in each of the areas of interest. These improvements were evident at the end of the workshops and remained nearly constant for six months after the workshops.; These positive results pointed to the value of teacher training in the DAP workshops and led to the conclusion that projects of similar design should be encouraged. Schools should strongly consider using state and federal funding to provide teachers with similar training opportunities. |
