Running head: Evaluation - Space Day

Evaluation - Space Day (Outcome 3)

Vanessa Vitiello
William Paterson University
April 7, 2016

Running head: Evaluation - Space Day

The Academy of Earth & Space Science (PANTHER) is a small, public, theme-driven high
school located in historic Paterson, NJ enrolling approximately 200 students in grades 9-12. The school
was built primarily for the science elite. Students were originally screened and interviewed to gain
entry but this has not been the case for more than ten 10 years. Students now are more diverse in
interests and academic ability and it becomes more and more challenging each year to retain the values
and purpose the academy was built upon. The school however continues to make every effort to focus
on studying Earth and Space Science through a partnership with Passaic County Community College.
Teachers and Students utilize an integrated high school/college campus as their learning space
that includes a planetarium, weather station, digital learning center and state of the art STEM and
computing labs to study and design robots and digital simulations while participating in regional and
national science and math competitions.
Each year the Panther Academy of Earth and Space Science hosts special celebrations where
students are challenged. Last year Panther added Space day to the list making a total of six academic
days totally dedicated to student led project-oriented instruction. Students are challenged to facilitate
collaborative academic research seminars projects and workshops for their peers on topics related to the
school theme.
During the first Space Day, 2015, 48 of the schools 215 students facilitated 12 unique seminars
ranging from how to colonize Mars to comparative analysis of space science fiction and reality to
designing and building a robot that can travel on other planets. Space Day 2016, saw an increase in
student participation from 48 to 78 students.
For the most part students are engaged in full day project based learning. Students who are
regularly hall roamers are in classes participating in presentations or engaging presenters by asking

Running head: Evaluation - Space Day

questions that stimulate conversation on the topics presented. There are still some students who must be
escorted out because they refuse to follow rules and make things difficult for the presenters, but far
fewer than expected. I find this to be an educational experience as well in that student presenters are
made aware of the disadvantages that disruptions and disrespect cause for everyone.
For the most part teachers are on the fence when it comes to full day project based learning, they
are concerned about things that affect them. Teachers are pleased that students are engaged and enjoying
learning but are frustrated that deadlines are approaching and the district based curriculum does not
allow time to deviate from the norm. They have benchmark deadlines, units that must be completed by
pre-assigned dates and post assessment goals that need to be met to say the least. Issues also revolve
around the days leading up to project presentations. One teacher said students are so engaged in their
presentations they are having a hard time focusing in class. This puts the teachers at even more of a
disadvantage because they are not only losing instructional time during presentation days they are also
losing some pre-presentation.
Most teachers are really worried about being observed prior to or just after presentation days.
The students are less engage prior and post they are behind and playing catch up. This all reflects poorly
on a teacher when a supervisor comes to evaluate them because, most of the time, evaluators do not take
extenuating circumstances into consideration. Teachers evaluations affect their livelihood and it is
unfair and simply sad that the stringent guidelines set by the state and district force teachers to feel this
way about something the students obviously enjoy.
Who knows, in the long, this type of learning might change the climate and culture of the school.
Students might begin to realize that in order to present on things they enjoy. learning a variety of subject
matter makes it much more efficient. They may realize that disruptions in the classroom are not fair to

Running head: Evaluation - Space Day

themselves, their peers or the teachers who work so hard to instruct. I think this is possible, even likely,
but everyone needs to give it time to take hold. The teachers, students, administrators and supervisors
should be supportive but most importantly state mandates must be modified to allow for more flexibility.
Evaluation Question
What are the
expectations of the
program?

Why is this
Important?
Necessary to determine
the advantage of the
program

Why is this program

being adopted by the
school?

This will determine the

demand for the
program

Are program
expectations being
met?

To determine
effectiveness of the
program

Information
Needed
Program overview
Connection with
Curriculum and
CCSS
Participation data
for past 2 years
Student Academic
Progress
Participation Rate
GPA correlation
Connection to
curriculum

Collection Process
Monitor participation and
presentation
Interview administrator
Interview Students
Interview staff
Interview students,
teachers, review student
GPA and participation rate

Evaluation
Question
What are the
expectations of the
program?

Task

Date

Personnel

a.
Interview
administrator in charge
b.
Survey staff
c.
Document student
GPA
d.
Compile Results

a.
Principal and
evaluator
b.
Teachers and
evaluator
c.
Evaluator
d.
Evaluator

Why is this program

being adopted by the
school?

a.
Interview
administrator
b.
Interview students
c.
Review literature on
option ii
d.
Report strengths and
weaknesses

Are program
expectations being
met?

a.
Repeat above three
consecutive academic terms
b.
Compare with similar
programs
c.
Prepare Report on
necessity of program

a.
March 1,
2016
b.
March 7,
2016
c.
March 8,
2016
d.
March
10, 2016
a.
March 1,
2016
b.
March
29, 2016
c.
March
10, 2016
d.
April 10,
2016
a.
March
29, 2018
b.
April 15,
2018
c.
May,
2018

a.
Principal and
evaluator
b.
Student and
evaluator
c.
Evaluator
d.
Evaluator
a.
Evaluator,
principal, teacher,
student
b.
Evaluator
c.
Evaluator