The Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP) supports the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education through participation in several initiatives and programs. Most prominently, CACP leads the evaluation of the University System of Georgia (USG) STEM Initiative, which works to increase the enrollment, retention, progression, and completion of undergraduate degrees in STEM and STEM education. The initiative also seeks to improve student readiness for STEM education and quality of instruction through innovative research and development projects at the seven participating institutions in USG. In addition to providing evaluation services, CACP also has provided policy recommendations and other support to the Office of Educational Access and Success (OEAS), which leads the initiative.
Notable Projects
Article: "Faculty Efficacy in Creating Productive Learning Environments: Universal Design and the Lens of Student with Disabilities"
Utschig, Tristan T., Moon, Nathan W., Todd, Robert L., and Bozzorg, Aaron co-authored the article "Faculty Efficacy in Creating Productive Learning Environments: Universal Design and the Lens of Student with Disabilities". The article highlights findings from SciTrain University, which is a Georgia Tech and University of Georgia project sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The project focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for students with disabilities.
External Evaluation of University System of Georgia (USG) STEM Initiative
Launched in July 2007, the University System of Georgia’s (USG) Presidential STEM Initiative, Math + Science = Success, is a central component of the Board of Regent’s Strategic Plan. The Initiative includes 12 specific strategies that include integrative design and innovative programs tested both nationwide and in Georgia; there are currently 11 institutions participating in the initiative. CACP is conducting a staged study examining the efficacy of the USG STEM Initiative, and exploring longer-term policy approaches and outcome consequences of the strategic approaches. Paul M.A. Baker, CACP, serves as the project's principal investigator and lead evaluator. Working with colleagues from the CACP, and Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), he directs the collection and analysis of data on the project's performance and effectiveness.
USG STEM Initiative: Policy and Programmatic Support Project (PPSP)
The Policy and Programmatic Support Project (PPSP) is the second phase multi-stage study examining the efficacy of the USG STEM Initiative, currently underway. Subsequent to the findings of the multi-level, systematic summative evaluation of the Initiative, the PPSP provide objective policy analysis and programmatic support to advance the USG’s STEM agenda. This support includes: 1) additional monitoring of pertinent policy, regulatory, and legislative activities, 2) short position papers, policy briefs, and other forms of guidance, and 3) ongoing programmatic support for the USG STEM initiative, including assistance, as appropriate, for grant development and submission. Paul M.A. Baker, CACP, serves as the project's principal investigator and lead policy analyst. Working with colleagues from the CACP, and Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), he directs the program assessment and data analysis supporting the policy and programmatic analyses. For more information, please visit:
SciTrain: Science and Math for All
High school math and science instruction should be accessible to all students, including learners with disabilities. SciTrain is a project sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and led by researchers at Georgia Tech to assist high school math and science teachers in becoming more effective instructors for students with disabilities. The project includes research; instruction for teachers on how to make their coursework, classrooms, and labs more accessible; and information resources for teachers, including assistive technology for their courses.
Nathan W. Moon from CACP currently serves as a co-investigator for SciTrain, where he is leading a project to survey and analyze the scholarly literature on the accommodation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learners with disabilities in secondary and postsecondary education. Working with researchers from the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA), the literature review project will culminate in the publication of a short book that will discern best practices, examine countervailing positions, and identify salient research gaps in accessible STEM education.
SciTrain University
SciTrain University is a project sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education to improve the accessibility of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for university-level students with disabilities. The project, which is currently taking place at Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia, involves workshops, online course modules, and other methods to facilitate accessible teaching by university instructors.
Nathan W. Moon from CACP currently serves as the project's co-principal investigator and lead evaluator. Working with colleagues from the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL) and Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA), he leads the collection and analysis of data on the project's performance and effectiveness.