Organization: Horizon Research, Inc.
Funding agency: National Science Foundation (1991, 1998, 2010, 2016)
Program: Project & Program Evaluation, Discovery Research K-12 (DRK-12), REAL, Dissemination, Research Activities, Teacher Enhancement Program
HRI Role: Research
Project Description
For the last 40 years, the NSSME has provided authoritative data on mathematics and science education in the U.S. The first survey was conducted in 1977 as part of a major assessment of science and mathematics education and consisted of a comprehensive review of the literature; case studies of 11 districts throughout the United States; and a national survey of teachers, principals, and district and state personnel. A second survey of teachers and principals was conducted in 1985–86 to identify trends since 1977. A third survey was conducted in 1993, a fourth in 2000, and a fifth in 2012. This series of studies has been known as the National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education (NSSME). The 2018 iteration of the study included an emphasis on computer science and was titled the 2018 NSSME+ (the plus symbol reflecting the additional focus).
The study is based on a national probability sample of schools and science, mathematics, and, in 2018, computer science teachers in grades K–12 in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The sample was designed to yield national estimates of course offerings and enrollment, teacher background preparation, textbook usage, instructional techniques, and availability and use of facilities and equipment. Every eligible school and teacher in the target population had a known, positive probability of being sampled.
The sample design involved clustering and stratification prior to sample selection. The first stage units consisted of elementary and secondary schools. Science, mathematics, and computer science teachers constituted the second stage units. The target sample sizes were designed to be large enough to allow sub-domain estimates, such as for particular regions or types of community.
PIs/Co-PIs
Eric Banilower
Daniel J. Heck
Kristen A. Malzahn
P. Sean Smith
Iris R. Weiss
Project + Products Link: https://horizon-research.com/NSSME/
Research Purpose
The 2018 NSSME+ addressed the following research questions:
- To what extent do science, mathematics, and computer science instruction reflect what is known about effective teaching?
- What are the characteristics of the science/mathematics/computer science teaching force in terms of race, gender, age, content background, beliefs about teaching and learning, and perceptions of preparedness?
- What are the most commonly used textbooks/programs, and how are they used?
- What influences teachers’ decisions about content and pedagogy?
- What formal and informal opportunities do science/ mathematics/computer science teachers have for ongoing development of their knowledge and skills?
- How are resources for science/mathematics/computer science education, including well-prepared teachers and course offerings, distributed among schools in different types of communities and different socioeconomic levels?