Monday i took the opportunity to review dr gant's conversation regarding GEAR UP program evaluation.  Key points include creating a map/template that supports better understanding how to evaluate the community; i did go into batchgeo to play around.   I shared what i had data had been collected--demographic information on the city of Pontiac, history, current events related to school district and school docs with some information on academics.  I spent time thinking about innovative or strategic approaches to the Pontiac pilot model for evaluation.  I researched/reviewed a couple of theories in education anthropology that may be useful in at least thinking about the study of the community/context.  Again i am playing---perhaps a possibility for the development of a ground theory.  Kinda of like me in the kitchen, what's another interesting twist to sweet potato pie.

And i also reviewed Ruby Payne's work on class-based rules of thinking and doing.  If we think about it we are asking working class/poor youth to acquire another (middle) class based language and skill set.  There is an expected cognitive and cultural change as they continue to interact in the cultural milieu of their respective communities and families.

Tuesday i thought it would be good to review articles by Barbara Rogoff and Vygotsky, both of whom represent inquiry into culture, cognition and human development.  Don't know if i am on the right track but its a good way to begin the process of understanding the GEAR UP program in the context of the Pontiac community and the development/transformation of students from college/university as a thought  to a reality.   So from this perspective of ecology and human development we may also derive best practices and the process that determines which staff strategies become best practices.  For example developmental responses may be defined as apprenticeship, guided participation and participatory.  These concepts seem to be aligned with aspects of the GEAR UP program process that promote success or best practices; we'll see!