Project 06: Program Assessment
This assignment focuses on the evaluation of the Project STEM CS Python Fundamentals curriculum, specifically its effectiveness in ensuring high school students acquire a strong understanding of core coding principles. The purpose of the program assessment is to determine whether students have mastered the essential coding topics, such as understanding input/output, performing number calculations, and making decisions using code. The evaluation uses test scores from three consecutive school years, identifying areas where additional resources, such as extra coding exercises, improved test scores and helped students achieve mastery. This assessment aims to highlight the impact of these supplementary resources and provide insight into how the curriculum can be refined to better support student learning outcomes in coding.
Proposed Solution
This signature assignment evaluates the effectiveness of the Project STEM Python Fundamentals curriculum implemented at Palmyra High School. The program aims to provide students with foundational knowledge in computer science through interactive lessons, coding practice, and assessments. However, test data from multiple years revealed that while students engaged well with the program, many were not reaching the desired mastery threshold.
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To address this, supplemental hands-on coding activities were designed and added to the curriculum, emphasizing visualization tools and practical coding applications. These additions targeted three core coding competencies: Input/Output & Syntax, Numerical Calculations & Data, and Decision-Making in Code.
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Post-intervention results from the 2022–2023 school year showed significant improvement in student performance, with mastery (defined as 90% or higher) achieved on two of the three key unit assessments. This data-driven revision underscores the importance of flexible instructional design and responsive teaching strategies in computer science education.