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ETS to Fund Research on Effectiveness of Culturally Based Education

Posted on: Thursday, 7 July 2005, 15:00 CDT

ETS will provide partial funding for the development of a pilot project and research model and collaborate with Western Washington University of Bellingham, Wash., to assess the effectiveness of Culturally Based Education (CBE) that uses native language in instruction to improve academic performance for second, fourth and eighth graders.

Dr. William Demmert, Professor of Education of Western Washington University, heads a team working with project partners to develop the pilot test and analyze data generated by a CBE research model. Curriculum-based measurements in reading and mathematics will be used in grades two, four and eight in both the native language and in English to assess student progress. Partner schools developing the Native language curriculum based measurements include Punana Leo, Hilo, Hawaii; Lower Kuskowim School District, Bethel Alaska; Tsehootsooi Dine Bi'olta Window Rock, Arizona; and the Piegan Institute, Browning, Montana.

The intent of the project is for ETS to work together with WWU and other organizations to identify the most effective project characteristics and activities as possible strategies for improving the quality of teachers and teaching. The project will also develop CBE assessment tools in the native language used for instruction in the school; test and validate the test instruments developed; and use the information gathered to examine the effectiveness of culturally based programs.

"A guiding principle at Western Washington University is diversity in our educational programs. We applaud and are very pleased to have Western involved with this important effort that will be led by Dr. Demmert," says Western President Karen W. Morse.

Demmert will submit a report to ETS that includes the findings and recommendations. He will also write and submit a joint ETS/WWU proposal to continue the work beyond the first year including possibly expanding the study to include other schools in the United States.

"ETS is proud to be one of the sponsors and partners in this work at Western Washington University and to have Western as a partner," says Mike Nettles, Vice President of ETS's Center for Policy Evaluation & Research. "We are also pleased to join other partner organizations in the project including the Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence, the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Arizona State University, and the Rand Corporation."

ABOUT ETS

ETS is a nonprofit institution with the mission to advance quality and equity in education by providing fair and valid assessments, research and related services for all people worldwide. In serving individuals, educational institutions and government agencies around the world, ETS customizes solutions to meet the need for teacher professional development products and services, classroom and end-of-course assessments, and research-based teaching and learning tools. Founded in 1947, ETS today develops, administers and scores more than 24 million tests annually in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. Additional information is available at www.ets.org

Source: Business Wire

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