ERIC ED343555: The Midlands Consortium Star Schools Project: Final Report, Final Evaluation Report, Final Evaluation Report Appendices.

702 Pages·1991·18.1 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
IR 015 422
ED 343 555
The Midlands Consortium Star Schools Project: Final
TITLE
Report, Final Evaluation Report, Firal Evaluation
Report Appendices.
Midlands Consortium.
INSTITUTION
Department of Education, Washington, DC.
SPONS AGENCY
PUB DATE
91
R203A80036
CONTRACT
NOTE
827p.
Vvorts - Research/Technical (143) --
PUB TYPE
Tests/Evaluation Instruments (160)
MF05/PC34 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Advanced Courses; *Communications Satellites;
DESCRIPTORS
*Distance Education; Inservice Teacher Education;
Intermediate Grades; Microcomputers; Postsecondary
Education; Professional Development; *Program
Evaluation; *Programing (Broadcast); Questionnaires;
Secondary Education; *Staff Development; Tables
(Data); Worksheets
*Midlands Consortium; *Star Schools
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
The reports presented in this document describe the
results of the first 2 years of the Midlands Consortium Star Schools
Project (MCSSP) (October 1, 1988-December 31, 1990). The first report
(1) the
summarizes the major accomplishments of the MCSSP, including:
Installation of communications satellites at schools in Alabama,
Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Oklahoma; (2) the production and
delivery of four student credit courses (Basic English and Reading,
Russian, and Spanish I and II) and four enrichment courses (genetics,
(3) the
"Moving Out and Moving On," PSAT/NMSQT, and Spanish I);
production of eight courses by Oklahoma State University with
indirect Star Schools support (Advanced Placement--AP--American
Government, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, Applied Economics,
(4) provision
German I and II, and Trigonometry/Analytic Geometry);
of staff and professional development courses els well as training
materials and conferences; and (5) the completion of research and
evaluation activities. This report summarizes the projects by state,
and provides 13 appendices with additional project information and
materials. The second report, which focuses on the final evaluation
of the project, contains the empirical findings of the Midlands
Consortium Research and Evaluation Center based on the MCSSP results.
This report discusses the chronology of research and evaluation,
reviews the literature, and provides statistical data related to the
educational effectiveness of communications satellites. This report
also provides more than 200 references. The last of the three
documents in this set contains the appendices to the final evaluation
report. These include evaluation item banks, sample evaluation forms,
researon agenda, sample requests for proposals, interim papers from
selected participants reporting on aspects of communications
satellite implementation, survey questionnaires, and needs assessment
forms. References are included throughout this section. (DB)
EDUCATION
US DEPARTMENT OP
and Improvement
Odrce o4 Educanonar Research
INFORMATION
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
CENTER (ERICI
reproduced as
This document tat been
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received !torn the person or
originating it
been made to improve
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Points ci view Of opinions
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CONSORTIUM
THE MIDLANDS
STAR SCHOOLS PROJECT
FINAL REPORT
Submitted to the
United States
Department of Education
As required by
Grant Award R203A80036,
Star Schools Program
3
BEST COPY AMIABLE
THE MIDLANDS CONSORTIUM
STAR SCHOOLS PROJECT
Final Report
Csnicuts
NARRATIVE
1
Project Personnel
Executive Summary
4
Programming
4
Student Programming
7
Staff Development Programming
1 i
Equipment
12
Alabama Project Summary
19
Kansas Project Summary
25
Mississippi Project Summary
30
Missouri Project Summary
34
Oklahoma Project Summary
APPENDICES
Summary
Oklahoma State University's Staff Development Program Registration
A.
Inventory of Star Schools Equipment
B
.
The Mississippi Star
"Training Local Personnel for Distance Learning Programs:
C.
Schools Model"
Sample Newspaper Articles on Mississippi Star Schools
D.
Programming
Educational Satellite Network's (ESN) Staff Development
E.
Network
Missouri School Boards Association (MSBA)/Educational Satellite
F.
Teleconferences
Production Facilities of MSBA"s ESN
G
.
ESN Missouri Member Sites
H
.
Oklahoma Star Schools
I.
Sample Newspaper Articles on Oklahoma Star Schools
J.
Press Releases for Oklahoma Star Schools
K
.
Other Articles on the Star Schools Project
L.
Letters of Endorsement
M.
University of Kansas' Research
See Final Evaluation Report : Volumes I and II for findings of the
and Evaluation Center.
3
1
MIDLANDS CONSORTIUM
STAR SCHOOLS PROJECT
Key Project
Personnel:
Dr. Kenneth H. McKinley,
Dr. Malcom V. Phelps, Director
Principal Investigator
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University
408 Classroom Building
102 Gundersen
Stillwater, OK 74078
Stillwater, OK 74078
[phone]
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
Lynn Geller, Mississippi State Director
Nat Andrews, Alabama State Director
University of Mississippi
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Yerby Center
1919 University Blvd.
University, MS 38677
Birmingham, AL 35294
[phone]
[phone]
Dr. Constance M. Lawry,
Hal Gardner, Missouri State Director (Year I)
Oklahoma State Director
Dr. Howard Jones, Director (Year II)
206 Life Sciences East
Missouri School Boards Association
Stillwater, OK 74078
21001-70 Drive, SW
[phone]
Columbia, MO 65203
[phone]
Dr. John Poggio, REC Director
Dr. Jerry Horn, Kansas State Director (Year I)
University of Kansas
Dr. Mel Chastain, Director (Year II)
115 Bailey Hall
Kansas State University
Lawrence, KS 66045
017 Bluemont Hall
[phone]
Manhattan, Kansas 66506
[phone]
4
2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
fulfilled all
The Midlands Consortium Star Schools Project (MCSSP) is pleased to report that it
objectives of the grant specified in the star schools grant proposal (as amended September 16, 1988) and
in the Star Schools grant continuation proposal submitted May 15, 1989. The following is a report on the
activities and accomplishments of the MCSSP during Year One (October 1, 1988 - September 30, 1989)
familiar with
and Year Two (October 1, 1989 - December 31, 1990). The report assumes that the reader is
all quarterly
the MCSSP grant proposal as amended September 16, 1988, the Year One Final Report, and
progress reports.
Following is a summary of the major accomplishments of the MCSSP:
There have been 287 satellite receiving systems installed at participating schools in
1.
Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Each of these satellite receiving systems is
unscrambled signal. Many additional systems have
a dual band, steerable system using an
been installed in Missouri by the Missouri School Boards Association in conjunction with
the Midlands Consortium utilizing non-Star Schools funds. Virtually all of the schools
which received the systems in the five partner states are participating in one or more of the
student credit courses and many are also participating in educational professional
development programming. Additionally, prudent utilization of federal funds has resulted
in the ability of the consortium to install 36 additional satellite receiving systems in Kansas
from the Year One budget. This was done by using federal funds to leverage local
matching funds. These additional systems were ordered and were installed. Included were
six demonstration sites strategically located across Kansas.
All scheduled satellite programs have been produced by the Consortium and received by
2.
participating schools, with one exception. The one exception, Improving Thinking Skills
in the Classroom, was postponed until the Fall of 1990 due to low enrollment but was
produced on the revised schedule beginning September 18, 1990. Of the courses for
students produced with Star Schools grant support, the following enrollments were
achieved: (a) Spanish I, 120 schools and 1,559 students in 10 states; (b) Spanish II, 30
5
3
schools and 120 students in 9 states; (c) Basic English and Reading, 64 schools and 955
students in 11 states; and (d) Russian, 28 schools and 170 students in 13 states.
Additionally, the PSAT/NMSQT series was highly successful with 273 schools in 38 states
enrolled.
Production activities have continued according to schedule for all courses and staff
3.
development programs to be produced, resulting in over 200 hours of professional
development satellite programs during the project.
Training materials mid conferences were held which prepared participating faculty and
4.
administrators to benefit fully from satellite-based distance learning. A videotape which
instructs teachers in the use of the satellite receiving equipment was disseminated.
Research and evaluation activities were completed and new insights in the field of distance
5.
education were obtained.
The remainder of this report is organized as follows:
programming carried out under
a summary of the production and delivery of student
1.
MCSSP sponsorship;
for teachers and administrators produced
a summary of the staff development programming
2.
and delivered, wholly or in part, with MCSSP funds;
MCSSP funds; and
a compilation of the equipment purchased with
3.
of the MCSSP conducted by
a two volume report of the research and evaluation component
4.
the University of Kansas Research and Evaluation Center.
f;
4
PROGRAMMING
Student Programming
These courses
The MCSSP produced four student credit courses with Star Schools grant funds.
(2) Russian, (3) Spanish I, and (4) Spanish II. Four
were: (1) Basic English and Reading [BEAR],
& Moving On,
enrichment courses for students were produced including: (1) Genetics, (2) Moving Out
by Oklahoma State
(3) PSAT/NMSQT, and (4) Spanish I. Eight additional courses were produced
(1) AP American
University with indirect Star Schools grant support. These eight courses were:
Economics, (6) German I,
Government, (2) AP Calculus, (3) AP Chemistry, (4) AP Physics, (5) Applied
summarizes the
(7) German II, and (8) Trigonometry/Analytic Geometry. The following table
registrations for these classes.
of the
One indicator of the success of the MCSSP and the need for distance education programs
enrollment. From 1989-90 to the 1990-
type supported by the federal Star Schools funds is the increase in
91 school year, MCSSP enrollments inc,-..ased in 90.1% of the courses.
7
MIDLANDS CONSORTIUM
STAR SCHOOLS PROJECT
COURSE OFFERINGS
atudgalsIgrams
Foreign Language:
COURSE
PRODUCER
OSU
German I
OSU
German II
OSU
Russian
Spanish I
KSU
Spanish II
K SU
Mathematics:
MUM
PRODUCER
OSU
AP Calculus
Trigonometry/Analytic Geometry
OSU
Science:
COURSE
PRODUCER
AP Chemistry
OSU
AP Physics
OSU
KSU
Enrichment Programs
Other:
=QUM
COURSE
AP American Government
OSU
AP Applied Economics
OSU
Basic English & Reading
OSU
KSU
Career Education
College Application Process
OSU
Planning for Next Year
KSU
PSAT/NMSQT Preparation by Satellite
OSU
College Choices/College Costs
OSU
Early Awareness: Pathways to College
OSU
MIDLANDS CONSORTIUM
STAR SCHOOLS PROJECT
STUDENT PROGRAMMING
REGISTRATION SUMMARY
1990-91
NUMBER
NUMBER
NUMBER
OF
OF
OF
COURSE
STATES
SCHOOLS STUDENTS
955
IggEr nglish & Reading
64
11
13
170
28
Russian
11
10
1,559
120
Spanish I
9
120
30
Spanish II
2,804
242
Subtotal
10
320
38
AP Amedcan Government *
19
360
63
AP Calculus *
14
185
29
AP Chemistry*
18
900
AP Physics*
126
630
11
42
Applied Economics *
19
1,800
217
German I*
13
320
79
German II*
2
50
6
Trigonometry/Analytic
Geometry *
4 565
600
Subtotal
3iimiammi=aximmommiumseINEE
7,230
842
3 3
Total
Schools
* Course supported indirectly by the Star Schools Project; meets the Star
objectives.
7
PROGRAMMING
Slaff-DsarilumenLYsagramming
MCSSP funding made quality staff development programming available to the numerous rural
Schools, an
schools served by the project. Cleveland Hammonds, Superintendent of Birmingham Public
Alabama Star School, enthusiastically reports, "The opportunities available to the involved schools for on-
site live staff development via satellite are innumerable."
In Karsas. the 1990-91 school year saw the development and distribution of an ambitious Staff
Development sf.cit.s, with six programs (seven hours) of live, interactive programming produced and
uplinked prior to December 31, 1990. By May of 1991, the full series of 13 programs (19 hours) drew
participation from more than 3, 000 teachers and administrators in 80 school districts across the country.
The Missouri School Boards Association and their Educational Satellite Network developed
educators on a variety of
programs and teleconferences for school board members, administrators, and
legislative workshops, and a
w. training,
topics. Leadership training, risk management, board cant/
monthly video-newsletter magazine were produced and uplinked to schools across the state. MSBA/ESN
provided support to additional education organizations in developing and distributing video programs and
teleconferences to a wide and varied audience, including the Missouri Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education, National School Boards Association, Missouri State Teacher Association,
University of Missouri-Columbia, and Central Missouri State University.
The University of Mississippi's Office of Distance Learning produced two live, interactive staff
development programs. The first, "The Liability of Principals for School Accidents," was targeted for
local school administrators and had 104 registrants. "Mississippi Distance Learning Update: A
Teleconference for Administiators and Teachers" was the second of their productions.