Evaluation of Implementing a Core Civics and History Curriculum for 8th Grade
Civic learning is important because it helps students to develop the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and values necessary to participate in society. AIR is collaborating with iCivics to evaluate the implementation and impact of a year-long, inquiry-based core curriculum for 8th-grade U.S. History classes. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, iCivics is providing teachers with an inquiry- and document-based curriculum, along with instructional materials, while supporting them through professional development and coaching to effectively implement the curriculum.
The iCivics Evaluation
AIR’s implementation evaluation will assess the fidelity of implementation and conduct interviews to capture teachers’ perceptions of the curriculum as well as their experiences with implementing an inquiry-based curriculum.
The impact evaluation utilizes a quasi-experimental design using inverse propensity score weighting to examine the program's effects on both student and teacher outcomes.
Teacher outcomes include self-efficacy in inquiry-based teaching and teaching U.S. history. Student outcomes measured include social studies achievement, civic dispositions, critical thinking, and engagement.
