| Session Title: An Evaluation of Georgia's Performance Learning Centers: Conducting Multi-Method Evaluations of Alternative School Settings |
| Expert Lecture Session 343 to be held in Sebastian Section I3 on Thursday, Nov 12, 3:35 PM to 4:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the Cluster, Multi-site and Multi-level Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Felix Fernandez, ICF International, ffernandez@icfi.com |
| Julie Gdula, ICF International, jgdula@icfi.com |
| Linda Kelley, Communities In Schools of Georgia Inc, lkelley@cisga.org |
| Allan Porowski, ICF International, aporowski@icfi.com |
| Kelle Basta, ICF International, kbasta@icfi.com |
| Abstract: A Performance Learning Center (PLC) is an alternative public school for students who are not thriving in the traditional school and are at risk for dropping out. The first two PLCs opened in Georgia in the 2002-2003 school year. ICF International has conducted an evaluation of Georgia's PLCs using a multi-method approach consisting of both quantitative and qualitative measures. The team developed and conducted three components of the evaluation: a quasi-experimental study using propensity score matching, an online survey, and a case study of two PLC sites. This presentation will include a description of the Georgia PLC model, evaluation methodology, challenges encountered, results of the evaluation, and lessons learned. It will also discuss how a multi-method approach helps to determine (1) whether an alternative school model is working and (2) how and why it influences student outcomes. |