Campus Without Walls
Impact Study
3-year study
Campus Without Walls was awarded a $1.7M grant through the American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) Equity Initiative, which aims to enhance educational opportunities for students who have been historically overlooked and underserved.
AIR is partnering with Campus Without Walls, along with Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston Univeristy, Bouve’ College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University, and the Rennie Center, to implement and conduct a three-year study of Campus Without Walls.
The focus of this study is to better understand teachers’ and students’ experiences within the Campus Without Walls initiative, factors that support effective implementation of Campus Without Walls, and the outcomes that result from teacher and student participation.
We are not evaluating individual teachers or classrooms; we want to learn from participants how Campus Without Walls can be an effective model for providing more rigorous and engaging instruction for students.
Equity, Access, & Opportunity
Campus Without Walls aims to promote greater equity, access, and opportunity for students to engage in rigorous, relevant, and meaningful curricula and instruction regardless of the students’ neighborhood of residence or assigned school. The goal of Campus Without Walls is to improve both student academic and nonacademic outcomes.
The Campus Without Walls Impact Study will expand access to teacher fellowships for up to 20 educators across Massachusetts in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Teacher Fellows participating in the study will receive resources to implement Campus Without Walls courses at no cost, including curriculum, weekly collaboration with a Lead Teacher to support successful implementation, and the opportunity to participate in a monthly Community of Practice hosted by Campus Without Walls.
Benefits of Participating
During the impact study, Teacher Fellows receive:
FREE project-based innovative curriculum to keep and use into the future
Mentorship and ongoing support to implement a minicourse
$500 honorarium ($50 gift card plus $450 classroom funds)
Earn Professional Development Points (PDPs)
Priority notification and access to upcoming Campus Without Walls minicourses
Interested in study participation? Contact Debra Rodriguez, AIR’s study outreach coordinator at cwwstudy@air.org.
Built by Teachers for
Teachers in Massachusetts
Campus Without Walls is available for Massachusetts teachers of Grades 6–12 and leverages the power of technology to connect classrooms, educators, and students across the state. Specifically, Campus Without Walls pairs Teacher Fellows with Lead Teachers to implement innovative, project-based, challenging, and culturally responsive minicourses in their classrooms. Teachers share their collective assets, strengthen their networks, and access a larger resource base than what is available when working alone.
Teacher Fellowship Opportunity
Teachers who sign up to be a Teaching Fellow are invited to participate in a study of Campus Without Walls’ impact on students and teachers. As a Campus Without Walls Teacher Fellow, participants will collaborate with a Lead Teacher to implement a 6- to 12-week Campus Without Walls minicourse in their classrooms in Fall 2024 and/or Spring 2025.
One Stop Digital Shop
Data Collection
The study team will ask teachers, school administrators, and students to participate in data collection activities. AIR will work closely with participating teachers to ensure that the data collection activities are scheduled at appropriate times to avoid any disruption to instruction.
School-based Interviews & Focus Groups.
We plan to interview or conduct focus groups with key constituents of the Campus Without Walls program, including Teacher Fellows, participating students, Lead Teachers, and school administrators. Interviews and focus groups will take place at the end of each course in Fall 24 and Spring 25.
Teacher Fellow & Lead Teacher Survey
Teacher Fellows participating in the study will be asked to complete a short survey prior to and at the end of each course session. Lead Teachers will be asked to complete a survey at the end of the school year. The surveys will ask about teachers’ experiences within the Campus Without Walls program, instructional activities implemented, and opportunities for collaboration and mentorship.
Student Survey
The study team will work with Teacher Fellows to administer a student survey at the beginning and end of each course session. The survey will ask students about their engagement in school and experiences within the course.
The American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) is partnering with Campus Without Walls, along with Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston University, Bouve’ College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University, and the Rennie Center to implement and conduct a study of Campus Without Walls.
