Focus Area
Curriculum | Government Funded | Higher Education | K-12 | Nonprofits | STEM
Curriculum
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Examples
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Examples
See Our Work
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Examples
Cobblestone has deep experience evaluating curriculum-based programs across K-12 and higher education. We work with publishers, schools, universities and grant-funded projects to assess whether instructional materials are being implemented as designed and whether students are learning as a result. Our evaluations address both fidelity and effectiveness, drawing on classroom observations, student achievement data, and educator feedback. We also design studies to meet the requirements for all four ESSA evidence tiers, from studies that demonstrate a rationale to randomized controlled trials. Whether you are validating a new curriculum product or measuring its impact in a specific context, we bring the methodological rigor and practical experience to deliver findings that inform decisions.
20+
STUDIES OF CURRICULUM
SECURED BY OUR CLIENTS
$1,500,000
On a recent survey of our clients, 20 out of 21 respondents said that Cobblestone was successful in helping their organization secure external funding.
On a recent survey of our clients, 20 out of 21 respondents said that Cobblestone was successful in helping their organization secure external funding.
We successfully executed the study and uncovered strong evidence of the curriculum's positive impact on student achievement, meeting Tier 2 evidence criteria. This gave our client what they needed to show strong evidence of the effectiveness of their program, assisted educators in making informed decisions and expanded the market reach of the program.
The Challenge
One of our clients, a leading textbook publisher, needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of their elementary reading curriculum to help educators make informed decisions about curriculum adoption. This evidence is often required for approval and sale in specific states. They sought to meet at least Tier 2 (Moderate Evidence) of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) criteria.
Our Solution
Cobblestone designed a statewide quasi-experimental study using propensity score matching to identify a carefully matched control group. This allowed us to compare students using the reading curriculum against similar students who were not, across multiple grade levels.
The Impact
Case Study
I have worked closely with Cobblestone for over seven years across numerous large‑scale education research and evaluation studies. Throughout our partnership, their work has consistently reflected the highest standards of methodological rigor, objectivity, and integrity. They are thoughtful partners who help sharpen research questions, select appropriate designs, and interpret findings responsibly... I trust their work deeply and highly recommend them as a research partner.
Renee Behring
HMH Efficacy Research Director
Rebecca and the Cobblestone team brought experience and expertise to the evaluation and assessment component of our grant. They helped us develop meaningful assessment plans and developed comprehensive but easily digestible reports for our grant agencies. They were great!
Catherine L. Reed, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Claremont McKenna College
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FAQs
A process evaluation (sometimes called an implementation evaluation) asks: Is the program being implemented as planned? It examines participation rates, fidelity to the program model, and quality of delivery. An outcome evaluation asks: Did participants experience the intended changes? It measures whether the program achieved its goals — increased knowledge, improved skills, changed behavior, or other intended effects. Most rigorous evaluations include both, since understanding why outcomes did or did not occur requires knowing how the program was actually implemented.
Evaluation findings are shared only as the client directs. Before the evaluation begins, we develop a dissemination plan together that outlines reporting formats, audiences, timelines, and approval processes. Typical deliverables include annual progress reports (often required by federal funders), internal summaries for program staff and leadership, and a final evaluation report. We can also support presentations to stakeholder groups, conference submissions, or manuscript preparation if you wish to disseminate findings more broadly. Often clients attach the formal evaluation report to the federal report as a separate document.
Negative or mixed findings are more common than most people expect — and more useful than they might fear. A well-designed evaluation surfaces what is not working early enough to make corrections, not just at the end. Good evaluators do not surprise their clients: findings are discussed throughout the process, so there is context for understanding results before any final report. Funders generally look favorably on programs that respond thoughtfully to evaluation findings, including by making data-informed adjustments.