Dunifon, Sarah M.
(2024)
An Examination of Evaluation Policies and Funding Priorities in Informal STEM Education Funding Organizations.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Through a landscape analysis and content analysis, this study investigated informal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education funding and evaluation policies. The primary objectives of this study were to identify informal STEM education funding organizations, and to examine funding priorities and evaluation policies amongst these organizations.
Findings suggest that informal STEM education is a visible part of the STEM education funding landscape, supported by large funding organizations. Funders are specific about the audiences they serve and the types of effects they wish to support, aspects possibly motivated by self-interest. Though funders vary on how they describe their grantmaking and their interests, many detail a commitment to diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and/or justice (DEAIJ). Organizations committed to DEAIJ were more transparent with their evaluation policies. However, evaluation policies were not clearly detailed by most funders and few organizations specified monetary support for evaluation in their grantmaking.
This study explored informal STEM education funding priorities and evaluation policies in order to make them more transparent and accessible, opening avenues for advocacy and for practitioners, evaluators, and funders to improve their practices.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
28 August 2024 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
11 June 2024 |
| Approval Date: |
28 August 2024 |
| Submission Date: |
12 August 2024 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
145 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Education > Learning Sciences and Policy |
| Degree: |
EdD - Doctor of Education |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Informal STEM Learning, Evaluation Policy, STEM Education, Nonprofit Funding |
| Date Deposited: |
28 Aug 2024 17:51 |
| Last Modified: |
28 Aug 2024 17:51 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/46917 |
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