Indian Education Reform

Dr. Shaffer completed a six-month detail assignment at the Office of Management & Budget, part of the Executive Office of the President, through the President's Management Council Interagency Rotation Program. During this assignment, she served as a program examiner for the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education during a critical time when a new plan for educational reform was being crafted. Dr. Shaffer worked with an inter-agency Indian Education Study Group supporting the reform of the Bureau of Indian Education, including working with study group members on establishing a performance measurement strategy and analyzing agency data to support budgetary decision-making. She also provided support for the President’s Native Youth initiative, providing direct support to OMB senior leadership and the Domestic Policy Council in researching alternatives for an inter-agency place-based initiative that will coordinate educational, mental health and infrastructure services.

Latest Projects: DODEA Special Education Grant Evaluation

Shaffer Evaluation Group began work on two new evaluation studies this fall. Beginning this fall, we will work with Chesapeake Public Schools and York County School Division evaluating grants supporting the enhancement of special education services for military-connected students. Congratulations to both school districts for their new grant awards!

Evaluating Digital Game Design at Virginia Commonwealth University

Shaffer Evaluation Group is working with a faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of the Arts to develop an evaluation strategy for a teacher professional development initiative focused on digital game design. As part of the project, we are developing a logic model in consultation with stakeholders, observing professional development sessions, and developing an evaluation framework that features quasi-experimental and non-experimental design options.