About: Evaluation Criteria

NASA's Six Review Criteria

In 2003, NASA's Education Enterprise (Code N) established six review criteria by which to evaluate the agency's formal and informal educational programs and products. Under each of these criteria are four distinguishing characteristics, at least one of which should ideally be met by each program or product.

1. Customer Focus - Programs have been designed to respond to a need identified by the education community, a customer, or a customer group.

1. The program is based on a compelling mutual need.
2. NASA can make an effective content contribution.
3. Participants find the program valuable.
4. The program is accessible to its intended audience.

2. Content - Programs make direct use of NASA content, people or facilities to involve educators, students, and/or the public in NASA science, technology, engineering, mathematics.

1. The program is based on NASA's scientific and technical activities, reflecting "As only NASA can."
2. Program content is technically accurate.
3. The program engages the public in shaping and sharing the experience of exploration and discovery.
4. The program is aligned with endorsed education reform efforts.

3. Pipeline - Programs make a demonstrable contribution to attracting diverse populations to careers in science, engineering, technology, mathematics.

1. The program promotes improvement of STEM skills.
2. The program creates linkages to other STEM educational opportunities.
3. The program includes diverse populations of students.
4. The program promotes careers in STEM.

4. Diversity - Programs reach identified targeted groups.

1. The program serves individuals from underrepresented groups and ensures accessibility to people with disabilities.
2. The program promotes opportunities for faculty at minority serving institutions to engage in research consistent with NASA's requirements
3. The program supports closing identified gaps in STEM proficiencies among diverse populations
4. The program provides awareness and understanding through culturally appropriate materials to targeted communities of how NASA's research and innovations affect and improve the quality of life for all citizens

5. Evaluation - Programs implement an evaluation plan to document outcomes and demonstrate progress toward achieving objectives.

1. The program is evaluated regularly by credible sources following professionally accepted standards for educational evaluations.
2. The program collects, analyzes, and reports output and outcome data to a common NASA database to determine program effectiveness and meet the requirements of program stakeholders.
3. Evaluations are based on models and techniques appropriate to the object of evaluation.
4. The program implements improvements based on evaluation evidence.

6. Partnerships/Sustainability - Programs or products achieve high leverage and/or sustainability through intrinsic design or the involvement of appropriate local, regional, or national partners in their design, development, and dissemination.

1. The program is replicable in educational institutions
2. The program identifies partners and clearly defines the terms of the partnership
3. The program provides cited or estimated figures for the fiscal contribution of each partner.
4. The program is sustainable beyond initial NASA funding.