Independent research and evaluation for organizations and teams working to improve science teaching and learning for all students.
Direct partnership with those doing the work.
Washington, DC Area ● Available Nationwide
YEARS IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
From classrooms to national studies
PROJECT EVALUATIONS
Federally and privately funded
NSF STUDIES AS PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Plus several more as co-PI
SCOPE OF WORK
Ask the questions that matter to understand what is working and help partners use what they learn.
Map project logic and theory of change, co-construct questions to guide evaluation, collect and analyze data to inform decisions.
Understand teacher learning, instruction, and student opportunities to learn.
Trace implementation across organizations, partnerships, networks, and multi-site initiatives.
Turn national data and landscape studies into direction for funders, leaders, and practitioners.
MORE ABOUT CAPABILITIES
Patrick Sean Smith brings the perspective of a former science teacher, teacher educator, senior researcher, and external evaluator to every engagement.
Ransom Street is intentionally small. Sean does the work, communicates directly, and brings his experience to each stage of an engagement.
Meet SeanThe portfolio consists of work done by Sean during his 30+ years at Horizon Research, Inc. It includes external evaluations of complex initiatives, national landscape studies, classroom-based research, and instrument development. Although Sean led or co-led each one, they would not have been possible without his talented colleagues at Horizon Research. Featured work is presented from Sean’s public record.
A field-level assessment commissioned by Carnegie Corporation of New York.
View study →
A framework describing the factors that shape teacher and student experiences with participatory science in formal K–12 settings.
Read article →
A national study of science teachers’ information sources, instructional decisions, and public-health role during COVID-19.
View project →Reports, peer-reviewed research, and practical resources connect close study of teaching and learning with questions facing the broader field.
MORE SELECTED WORK
Available for site visits and remote work with project teams nationwide.
Research that follows the work across levels - from individual learning and instruction to national patterns and field-level questions.
Understand teacher learning, instruction, and student opportunities to learn.
Examine how instructional materials are understood, used, and improved in classroom settings.
Trace implementation across organizations, partnerships, networks, and multi-site initiatives.
Turn national data and landscape studies into direction for funders, leaders, and practitioners.
Ransom Street provides independent research, evaluation, and strategic planning for organizations and teams working to improve science teaching and learning—helping teams ask useful questions, generate credible evidence, and act on what they learn.
START WITH YOUR QUESTION
