Project Summary

The departments of education in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut and New York City contracted individually with The Education Alliance to conduct evaluations of the implementation of each state's Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) program.

The objective of this U.S. Department of Education program was to improve student achievement in underperforming schools by supporting the implementation of comprehensive school reforms based on scientific research and effective practices. The purpose of the CSR program "is to provide financial incentives for schools to develop comprehensive school reforms, based upon scientifically based research and effective practices that include an emphasis on basic academics and parental involvement so that all children can meet challenging state academic content and academic achievement standards" (Sec. 1601, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001).

The evaluation design included a longitudinal analysis of state assessment data and a comparison of school-level implementation with changes in school and student academic performance. In addition, methods included teacher surveys, site visits, classroom observations, principal interviews, and school observations.