WWC review of this study

The impact of eMINTS professional development on teacher instruction and student achievement: Year 1 report.

Brandt, C., Meyers, C., & Molefe, A. (2013). Washington, DC: American Institutes for Research.

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    3,430
     Students
    , grades
    7-8

Reviewed: February 2020



Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Study sample characteristics were not reported.

Reviewed: February 2018

No statistically significant positive
findings
Meets WWC standards without reservations
English language arts achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

MAP Communication Arts

eMINTS Comprehensive Program vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
3,430 students

N/A

N/A

No

--
General Mathematics Achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

MAP Mathematics

eMINTS Comprehensive Program vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Full sample;
3,430 students

N/A

N/A

No

--


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • Rural
    • B
    • A
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • G
    • I
    • H
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • P
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • Q
    • R
    • S
    • V
    • U
    • T
    • W
    • X
    • Z
    • Y
    • a
    • h
    • i
    • b
    • d
    • e
    • f
    • c
    • g
    • j
    • k
    • l
    • m
    • n
    • o
    • p
    • q
    • r
    • s
    • t
    • u
    • x
    • w
    • y

    Missouri

Setting

The study was conducted in rural high-poverty middle schools in Missouri with seventh and eighth grade students. To qualify to apply for participation, schools had to meet requirements under Title I (school-wide or targeted) or Missouri's historical requirements for Title II.D (50% of students in poverty) and be part of the Small Rural School Achievement program or the Rural and Low-Income School program in the state.

Study sample

Target students were in the seventh or eighth grade. 4.5% of the intervention students were nonwhite vs. 6.6% of the control students; 4.2% and 4.6%, respectively, were English-language learners. Over half of the students in both schools were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Of the 60 schools, 30 serve grades PK–8 or grades K–8, 8 serve grades 6–8 or grades 7–8, and the remaining 22 serve grades 6–12 or grades 7–12. Enrollment in both groups was less than 200 students, reflecting the small and rural aspects of the sample schools. eMINTS schools, however, enrolled 50 more students than control schools did, and the between-group difference in enrollment was statistically significant. Across both groups, about 5% of students were minorities, 58% qualified for free or reduced-priced lunch, less than 2% were English language learners, and between 12-13% had an identified disability. Teachers in eMINTS schools averaged almost 1 year more of experience than their control counterparts (11.9 versus 11.0), but 2% more teachers in control schools had a master’s degree.

Intervention Group

The overall goal of eMINTS Comprehensive is to help teachers develop student-centered, purposeful instruction fostered by technology utilization. The program includes a specific set of school and classroom technology equipment, intensive on-site professional development, online and face-to-face professional learning communities, and job-embedded coaching to enhance teachers’ classroom practices. Program classrooms must have minimum software and hardware equipment, including an interactive whiteboard, computers for the teacher and each student, internet connectivity, printer/scanner, and a camera. During the first year of professional development, teachers receive 126 hours of formal professional development in 26 sessions that are held throughout the school year. Sessions typically take place in an eMINTS classroom or computer lab in a central location and last between 4 and 6.5 hours each. The first-year curriculum focuses on basic technology applications, understanding constructivist pedagogy, community-building strategies (including interaction and interdependence), inquiry-based learning strategies, technology integration, and introducing authentic learning experiences into the classroom. At the end of the first year, teachers spend up to 12 additional hours developing a classroom website with the help of the instructional specialist. In addition, teachers received up to 10 coaching visits and had online access to the curriculum and PD materials.

Comparison Group

The comparison schools were placed on a wait-list to receive the program after the evaluation study was completed. During the evaluation study, comparison schools were presumably implementing typical middle school curricula and professional development activities for their students and faculty.

Support for implementation

A thorough implementation study was conducted as part of the evaluation and found that implementation was successful. The essential resources, professional development, and guidance needed to support the eMINTS program at the district, school, and classroom levels were provided by eMINTS staff. eMINTS staff conducted technology audits in all treatment schools to identify areas of equipment need. They also followed up with the necessary resources and support to ensure that all schools met minimum infrastructure and equipment requirements within the expected timeframe. Teacher, administrator, and technology coordinator professional development, which included formal professional development sessions, school visits, and coaching sessions, were offered to all eligible participants in all treatment schools. eMINTS professional development was scheduled and conducted in a timely fashion.

Reviewed: August 2016



Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Study sample characteristics were not reported.

Reviewed: February 2016

Meets WWC standards without reservations


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Study sample characteristics were not reported.

Reviewed: November 2012

No statistically significant positive
findings
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Academic achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

21st Century Skills

eMINTS Comprehensive Program vs. Business as usual

End of 1st year

Full;
2,739 students

N/A

N/A

No

--
English language arts achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP): Communication Arts

eMINTS Comprehensive Program vs. Business as usual

End of 1st year

Full;
3,430 students

N/A

N/A

No

--
External behavior outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Student engagement

eMINTS Comprehensive Program vs. Business as usual

End of 1st year

Full;
2,386 students

N/A

N/A

No

--
General Mathematics Achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP): Mathematics

eMINTS Comprehensive Program vs. Business as usual

End of 1st year

Full;
3,430 students

N/A

N/A

No

--


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • 2% English language learners

  • Female: 50%
    Male: 50%

  • Rural
    • B
    • A
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • G
    • I
    • H
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • P
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • Q
    • R
    • S
    • V
    • U
    • T
    • W
    • X
    • Z
    • Y
    • a
    • h
    • i
    • b
    • d
    • e
    • f
    • c
    • g
    • j
    • k
    • l
    • m
    • n
    • o
    • p
    • q
    • r
    • s
    • t
    • u
    • x
    • w
    • y

    Missouri
  • Race
    Other or unknown
    5%
    White
    95%
 

Your export should download shortly as a zip archive.

This download will include data files for study and findings review data and a data dictionary.

Connect With the WWC

loading
back to top