Why it matters

Place-based education may sound like a neat concept, but does it work? How do teachers, struggling to meet state standards and the test-based rigors of modern education, justify place-based education to administrators, or vice versa? What do students and teachers actually gain? And how do you create high quality professional development opportunities, programs or curriculum?

• Current academic studies and program evaluations suggest that place-based education can invigorate educators, increase student interest in learning and comprehension, and foster a positive relationship between students, teachers, and the community.  Research can be a helpful tool for 'making the case' about place-based education to school staff, school administrators, funders, and the media. Learn more about the benefits of place-based education and check out a summary of current research.
• Program evaluations can produce powerful results that guide program development, reveal 'best practices'  for curriculum development and teacher training, and procure funding. Organizations that have done evaluations as part of thePlace-based Education Evaluation Collaborative (PEEC) and as clients of PEER Associates, Inc.have made their program evaluations available to the public here and atwww.peecworks.org
• Learn more about developing your own program evaluation.

If you have any suggestions for other resources we should highlight on the site, please contact us at contact@promiseofplace.org