Research Oveview

Since DSC's inception, we have rigorously evaluated our programs in a wide range of settings and with a wide range of student populations.

Formative evaluation is key to the creation of all of our programs. Initially, these programs are developed with extensive feedback from panels of teachers who pilot program lessons in their own classrooms. The lessons are revised based on feedback and on classroom observations by our program developers. The revised lessons are then field-tested by entire faculties in a diverse set of schools, and are again revised before final publication. Our after-school programs are developed using a similar process.

Through questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and/or focus groups, DSC conducts ongoing evaluations of our staff development offerings and selected program implementation efforts. We also collaborate with third-party evaluators to conduct comprehensive outcome evaluations of our programs that assess the programs' effects on students' academic achievement and social/ethical growth. These evaluations have shown that when well implemented, our programs have powerful positive effects on students, including strengthening their motivation to learn, promoting their academic achievement, and fostering their growth as caring and principled human beings.

For an overview of our research basis, download a Summary of Evidence of Effectiveness of All Programs.

Papers by DSC researchers have been published in leading educational journals. See DSC Articles and Papers.

To find research by program, select from the following program lists: