Design2Learn Implementation and Impact Study

Design2Learn (D2L) is a NYC-based afterschool program aimed at increasing middle school students’ interest, engagement, and achievement in science. The program centers around 1) collaborative teaching between an in-school science teacher and two afterschool educators, 2) curricular bridging, which connects students’ in-school science instruction with afterschool activities, and 3) design-based learning, which emphasizes hands-on projects and inquiry-based instruction. To support the implementation of D2L, ExpandED Schools partnered with the New York Hall of Science to provide intensive professional development for educators, including week-long summer institutes, Saturday workshops, strategic planning sessions, and on-site coaching.

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Education Investing in Innovation (i3) fund awarded ExpandED Schools a grant to support the design and evaluation of D2L, with the Research Alliance serving as the external evaluator. Our new report presents findings about D2L’s implementation and impact. It highlights generally strong fidelity to the D2L model, with sites participating fully in the PD and support that was provided. Yet, both D2L and control sites struggled with student attendance—a common challenge for afterschool programs during the middle school years. The report examines D2L’s impact on a range of student outcomes. 

Read more about the Design2Learn Implementation and Impact Study.