Data Sources RMC Research collected data from the following sources:
• Student assessment data . The district provided RMC Research with reading achievement data from district-administered student assessments for students who participated in LitCamp and a district-identified statistically similar comparison group of students who did not participate in LitCamp. • Student demographics. The district provided RMC Research with demographic information for all enrolled LitCamp students, including EL status, special education designation, race and ethnicity, and gender. The district also provided demographic data for all comparison students. • Student surveys. RMC Research administered a student survey to all LitCamp students in Grades 3–5 at two time points: the beginning of LitCamp (baseline) and the end of LitCamp (follow-up). The survey asked questions related to noncognitive factors in students such as growth mindset, attitudes toward reading, the 7 strengths (i.e., belonging, curiosity, friendship, kindness, confidence, courage, hope), and included questions about students’ experiences at LitCamp. • Teacher surveys. RMC Research administered a beginning-of-session and end-of-session survey to all teachers. The baseline survey asked questions about their background and their expectations for and initial impressions of LitCamp. The end-of-session survey asked questions about their perceptions of the LitCamp program, its effectiveness at developing literacy and social-emotional skills in students, its effectiveness in cultivating students’ interest in reading, and students’ engagement with the program. • Classroom observations. RMC Research observed LitCamp instruction across multiple grades at each of the four sites to gather data on what LitCamp implementation looked like in practice. • Focus groups. RMC Research conducted a teacher focus group at each of the four Summer Enrichment Program sites to gather more in-depth information from teachers pertaining to their perceptions of LitCamp materials and activities, their perceptions of the program’s impact on students’ reading behaviors and social-emotional behaviors, and student engagement and attitudes. • Family interviews. RMC Research conducted a total of four interviews at two Summer Enrichment Program sites with LitCamp students and their families to gain deeper insight into the effect that LitCamp had on those students.
LITCAMP EVALUATION IN SCHENECTADY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 21
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