Results and Testimonials

Horizon Research Evaluation Results

Highlights from the 2005-06 eMSS External Evaluator Report conducted by Horizon Research.

Mentees Reported:

• Being significantly better prepared after participating in eMSS
• A significant increase in preparedness in basic teaching and management skills
• It was “likely” to “very likely” that participation in eMSS components enhanced their ability to teach science
• Participation in the content area of eMSS improved their understanding of the content

Mentors Reported:

• eMSS positively impacts mentor preparedness to work with beginning science teachers
• eMSS positively impacts mentor preparedness to be a content-focused online mentor

What Teachers Have to Say about eMSS

"When we are overwhelmed with students it is together that teachers can help each other. That is why I like eMSS. Our job feels solitary at times as we are alone in our rooms with the kids. We need to reach out to our fellow teachers to share help, advice and most of all laughter."
- Beginning science teacher and eMSS participant

"Each Inquiry was very applicable to my classroom. They allowed me to focus on one aspect of my teaching, create an action plan and carry it out. Such a direct approach allowed me to take a large unmanageable problem and break it into manageable pieces. I was able to focus on a few things at a time, which made the whole first year much more bearable. I received a lot of good information about each inquiry through the discussion groups and my mentor."
- Beginning science teacher and eMSS participant

"I thought that the Dilemmas proved a success in that they made me stop and think; reevaluate my own situations in my classroom and see if I act and do accordingly. It gave me ways to improve on some strategies of my own."
- Beginning science teacher and eMSS participant

The Dilemmas were fun and did change how I looked at, and viewed, students in my classroom. The Dilemmas were a teaching changing experience."
- Beginning science teacher and eMSS participant

"We often get trapped in our own departments and don’t even look to other high schools in the district and even less beyond the district. (eMSS gives me) the ability to collaborate with so many different people from different areas. That has been great."
- Beginning science teacher and eMSS participant

"I would not be a teacher next year if I had not had access to my mentor who provided educationally sound advice and great insight on the culture and expectations of this field...eMSS is a private place where I could go to get solace without fear of reprisals or gossip."
- Beginning science teacher and eMSS participant

"Being part of a group with the same goals is a confidence booster. I feel I have a safety net to fall back on with my teaching. At the end of my second year, I feel I am a much better teacher than I was when I started eMSS in my first year."
- Beginning science teacher and eMSS participant

"I was able to enrich my curriculum without spending many more hours scouring textbooks and web resources. I’ve been able to print dozens of detailed lessons I will use for years to come."
- Beginning science teacher and eMSS participant

"Being able to communicate with the whole eMSS community through posts, I was able to find new activities to try in my classroom and ask questions when I was stuck. I appreciate how I can pose a question and quickly get many different educated responses."
- Beginning science teacher and eMSS participant

"I loved feeling connected to such a large community of science teachers who inspired me to continually improve my practices. Many veteran science teachers have given responses to my questions that were much more well rounded than I would have found in a book."
- Beginning science teacher and eMSS participant