News and Publications

Metis Highlighted in Online Magnet School Evaluation Kit

Even if the data say, “Yes, the program works!” the next questions that must be asked are, “What exactly worked? Why? How do we know?” With a growing number of theme-based magnet schools opening around the country, the U.S. Department of Education contracted WestEd, an educational research agency, to design an online evaluation toolkit. The kit was recently released to help school systems ask not only whether their magnet programs are working, but why.

Based on Metis’s demonstrated track record assisting grantees of the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program with their evaluation and reporting needs, the U.S. DOE asked Metis to contribute several components to the Web-based toolkit. Some of the evaluation tools and methods Metis has developed and refined over the past 20 years are highlighted, including some of the interview protocols that Metis uses to collect program data and documentation logs that can help schools and district-level coordinators record information on their activities.

The toolkit content is organized under six evaluation practices to help school systems assess their progress from their implementation phases to student achievement outcomes. It contains includes numerous resources, including videotaped interviews with leading magnet education professionals, extensive bibliographies, and charts and tables that can be used in designing process and outcome evaluations.

For more information about how Metis can assist your organization with magnet planning and evaluation, please contact Marilyn Zlotnik.