An Evaluation of the Oregon System in Mathematics Education. Final Report.

Overview & Synopsis

The Oregon System in Mathematics Education (OSME) was a five-year "systems experiment" to improve mathematics education on a statewide basis. The major purposes of this present study were to determine the effectiveness and impact of OSME and a "systems" approach and to address questions of future replicability. The evaluation focused on three broad concerns: (1) to what extent did NSF funding of OSME result in an effective systems model for achieving program improvement on a statewide basis?; (2) what was the impact of OSME on teachers and students?; and (3) what project elements had the greatest potential for transportability? The conclusions include: (1) OSME was a successful program improvement effort; and (2) the factors that made it work include its openness, inclusiveness, flexibility, and trust in project participants. (MP)