JA's Capstone Program Evaluation

Most important, JA's Capstone Program was an educational success.  Dr. Jeffrey Oescher, formerly of the University of New Orleans, conducted an independent evaluation of the first two years of JA's Capstone Program operations (school years 2003-2004 and 2004-2005).  Some of the strengths he included in his report are captured in these quotes:

“The overall learning experience related to the site visit, the students’ enjoyment of it, and the benefits to students were seen as specific strengths of the program.”

“…teachers felt the clarity of the goals of the program, the curricular materials, and the satisfaction with the program in general were also strengths of the program.”

“…the results of the evaluation indicate the... curriculum is pedagogically sound.  The content, lesson plans, and instructional activities are all based on sound instructional strategies currently being advocated in education.”

“The large number of critical thinking skills being taught and the high on-task behavior levels are excellent examples of the effects of a well-conceived, hands-on approach to instruction.”

“The achievement score increases of the students in the majority of schools - both at a statistical and practical level - is important to note…. these increases represented a meaningful gain in students’ knowledge.”

The Oescher report also offered opportunities for improvement, especially in the area of classroom preparation.  These opportunities were to be addressed in JA's third year of its Capstone Program were it not for the interruption of Hurricane Katrina.  When JA re-opens its Capstone Program as JA BizTown in January 2009, a strong emphasis will be placed on ensuing that teachers and students have completed the curriculum and are well-prepared for the JA BizTown experience.

For more information, please contact Christopher Sommers: (504) 569-8672 or chris@jagno.org