Project Lead the Way and Deeper Learning: An Evaluation Study

Abstract

For the past several decades governmental, educational, and philanthropic entities have endeavored to respond to the national STEM gap directing tremendous amounts of resources in response. During this time a specific STEM intervention, Project Lead the Way, a K12 program with a purpose to address the STEM gap, has spread across the country. This study investigates whether Project Lead the Way is delivering on its promise. Project Lead the Way exhibits many of the characteristics recommended by leading experts to reform traditional education into one that stresses deeper learning and the acquisition of 21st Century Skills. The central question of this study was to determine whether exposure to Project Lead the Way curriculum does indeed lead to deeper learning as evidenced through the acquisition of 21st Century Skills, specifically problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Further, are the recommendations of researchers who intend to more fully integrate deeper learning into the fabric of high school coursework validated by the effects of a program that follow those recommendations. The results suggest that the answer is maybe to both questions.