Services Portfolio

Evaluation & Strategic Planning Portfolio

Music Education: Savannah Music Festival Music Education

Nonprofit client: Savannah Music Festival
Since 2017, Bluknowledge has served as the external evaluator for Savannah Music Festival (SMF) Music Education Programs including SMF Musical Explorers and SMF Jazz Academy. SMF Musical Explorers is a culturally-relevant K-2 music education curriculum, implemented by classroom and music teachers in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and currently serving 10,000+ students. SMF Jazz Academy is a 5-12th grade afterschool music program that removes participation barriers for low-income students.

We have advised and supported SMF Musical Explorers staff to broaden measures and analysis from students’ academic performance to include teacher and school implementation via teacher surveys, implementation case studies, classroom observations and teacher reflection forms (which we designed and trained staff on). We recently added curricular assessments to more accurately measure students’ musical, literacy, and social studies learning. We have also designed and trained SMF Jazz Academy staff to utilize a custom participant manager, which organizes recruitment, retention, and demographic data. Our evaluation also includes self-reported measures (via surveys and focus groups) of students’ perceived safety, freedom to express themselves, and sense of belonging.

As a trusted partner and advisor, our evaluation findings and recommendations have informed programmatic improvements, such as institutionalizing collaborative planning sessions into teacher professional development workshops and implementing SMF Jazz Academy recruitment policy changes to ensure that the program meets its goal to serve youth in underserved communities.

Music Education: Austin Symphony Orchestra

Nonprofit client: Austin Symphony Orchestra | Funder: The Powell Foundation
For the 2023-24 school year, Bluknowledge conducted a comprehensive program evaluation of Austin Symphony Orchestra’s (ASO) James C. Armstrong Youth Education Initiatives: Building Blocks, Young People’s Concerts, High School Concerts, and Connecting with Music. In partnership with ASO’s Education and Community Engagement (EdCE) staff, the evaluation team worked to

• generate evidence of ASO’s efforts to include more compositions by women and/or people of color in their repertoire and the impact of this on students’ experiences in their school-based programming
• inform ASO’s education and community engagement strategies and programming to increase participation and meaningful experiences among students who have been historically marginalized and those who attend schools located in “arts deserts”. 

Guided by evaluation questions, we developed and administered multiple data collection instruments, analyzed demographic data, survey, and discussion responses, and documented curriculum and implementation decisions. We reported program evaluation findings for students, teachers, and schools across seven (7) districts focused on recruitment and participation, performances and instructional materials, and student and teachers’ experiences. We put forth recommendations for diversifying representation in music composition and related instructional materials and participation in ASO’s education programs.

Youth Development Non-Profit: Strategic Planning for Deep Center

Nonprofit client: Deep Center
In 2023, the Deep Center hired Bluknowledge LLC to design, facilitate, and communicate their strategic planning for 2024-2026. This comprehensive process included organizational research and 12 stakeholder interviews (executive director, board, staff, community partners, participants). Research findings and stakeholder input informed the design and facilitation of a full-day strategic planning session that engaged 33 stakeholders in collaborative discussions about strengthening and aligning Deep’s programming and policy work with the organization’s mission and values and their focal community’s needs and desires.

Participants completed a session reflections form, which elicited their perceived participation and contribution during the strategic planning session activities. All (100%) survey respondents agreed the session focused on critical areas that will increase Deep’s impact in the community and the majority (92%) agreed they were able to set goals that align with Deep’s mission, vision, and core values.

Documented notes from the guided discussions during the strategic planning session underwent review, thematic analysis, and synthesis into a strategic plan that included Strategic Directions, Goals, and Actions and Metrics & Milestones for the following areas: Narrative & Systems Change; Communications; Organizational Culture, Communications, & Collaboration; Grantseeking, Fundraising & Development; and Board Development.

In alignment with Deep’s core values, the strategic report amplifies the diverse voices of the stakeholders and honors their expertise. For example, the Deep Statement of Strategic Progress 2018-2023 reflects stakeholders’ reported progress on previous strategic actions. The Fertile Ground (strengths and opportunities) sections include direct quotes from the strategic planning session notes. In the Strategic Actions section, specific suggestions from stakeholders related to topics, partners, or examples were included, when possible.

Communications: Deep Strategic Planning Report 2024-2026.

Rigorous and Responsive Research Portfolio

Public Health: COVID-19 Vaccine Equity in the Black Community

Government client: North Dakota Department of Health
In 2021, Bluknowledge LLC partnered with Nurturing Wellness Consulting, to conduct a survey study for the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) to understand challenges and generate solutions that could advance COVID-19 vaccine equity in the Black Community. We designed survey and focus group research instruments to generate evidence about the uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations in the North Dakota Black Community, specifically what factors support and prevent individuals from becoming COVID-19 vaccinated. 

To support this, we administered and monitored the survey. We also analyzed and communicated the findings via the COVID-19 Vaccine in the North Dakota Black Community report and reusable social media content. The report provides a set of recommendations for building and strengthening relationships with the North Dakota Black Community. Evidence and actionable recommendations from this survey study informed the NDDoH’s Health Equity Unit’s 2020-2024 strategic plan. 

Communications: Report on COVID-19 Vaccine in the North Dakota Black Community Survey Study [Full Report] [Highlights].

Family Learning & Engagement: Design Remote Learning with Families in Mind

Social Impact Firm Client: Bluknowledge (Internal Project)
In 2020, Bluknowledge LLC surveyed families to learn more about their learning experiences at home during the COVID-19 school closures. We summarized and shared families’ responses to

• amplify the voices of parents and families in conversations about learning, schooling, community, and equity.
• provide a range of family learning examples for schools and districts to consider when planning for families’ continued support of their learners at home.
• prompt us to remain reflective and open as we plan for and design learning with families in mind.

In addition, we authored two blog series that exemplify challenges facing families during this time and elaborate our survey findings. These offer guidance for districts, schools, and teachers to proactively plan learning that embraces families in support of learners.

Communications: [Blog Series: Design Remote Learning with Learners’ Families in Mind] [Blog Series | Design Remote Learning 2.0 with Families in Mind][Savannah Families Share Learning Experiences during COVID-19 School Closures][SURVEY SAYS: US Families Share Learning at Home Experiences during COVID-19 School Closures]

K-12 Education: Needs Assessments & Strategic Planning for K-12 Schools and Districts

Client: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) The Center for Model Schools
As a contracted Senior Leadership and Instructional Consultant for The Center for Model Schools (formerly the International Center for Leadership in Education), Dr. Tate conducted 9 needs assessments and strategic planning sessions for K-12 public schools and districts in California, Massachusetts, and Texas. Applying the Rigor/Relevance FrameworkⓇ, she conducted interviews with principals, teachers, students, families, and business partners about their teaching and learning experiences. She also conducted classroom visits that documented the prevalence of specific instructional strategies and the levels of rigor, relevance, and learner engagement. Dr. Tate authored a comprehensive report that synthesized collected data into findings and recommendations that were made available to school and district stakeholders.

In addition, Dr. Tate facilitated strategic planning sessions that brought administrators and teachers together as a team to (a) identify the strengths and weaknesses of classroom instruction, (b) prioritize strategies to bring about needed improvements in the classroom and in the school as a whole, and (c) guide stakeholders in collaborative dialogue to create and document their strategic action plans for their classrooms, schools, and districts.

Dr. Tate also influenced the culture of data for the organization and the school districts served. At a secondary school in Hawaii, she conducted classroom observations using the Rigor/Relevance FrameworkⓇ and rubrics and initiated a data collection and tracking system to report math teachers’ progress in increasing rigor, relevance, and learner engagement. This contributed to the organization’s development of an online data collection and reporting system that was used with numerous districts nationwide. In districts in Alabama and Georgia, Dr. Tate also facilitated instructional rounds with elementary and secondary coaches and principals to build their capacity to utilize classroom observation tools to document, monitor, and coach changes in teachers’ instructional practices.

Communications: Needs Assessment Reports, Instructional Practice Assessment Reports, Strategic Planning Sessions, and Strategic Action Plans.

Equity and Social Justice: Seeing Savannah Through a Racial Equity Lens

Client: City of Savannah I Funder: The Sapelo Foundation
During the summer of 2021, Bluknowledge LLC was contracted to lead the authorship of the Education Committee report for the Racial Equity and Leadership (REAL) Savannah Task Force.

We developed a racial-equity framework to focus, organize, and facilitate data collection, analysis, and policy recommendations to drive toward the intended outcome: academic success for Black students including access to, and graduation from, institutions of higher education. A strategic plan of action was recommended, which included guiding questions and data inquiry for the following areas: Early Childhood and School Readiness, Academic Success & Instructional Effectiveness, Out-of School Learning, and School Success.

The report of REAL’s findings, Seeing Savannah Through a Racial Lens was designed to encourage the Mayor and City Council of Savannah, Georgia, and the citizens of Savannah-Chatham County to support action to address the serious levels of racial inequities that exist in the community. It has also informed the City of Savannah’s commitment to advancing equity and inclusivity in all aspects of their work.

Communications: Seeing Savannah Through a Racial Equity Lens [Full Report].

Engaging Stakeholders in Planning For Policies, Systems, and Environmental Changes that Increase Food Access in Savannah

Planning and Engineering client: Transport Studio, Nonprofit client: Healthy Savannah I Funder: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Planning Association (APA), American Public Health Association (APHA)
In July 2015, Bluknowledge LLC was contracted by Transport Studio on behalf of Healthy Savannah as a Plan4Health project team member. Plan4Health is a 15-month project that strengthens the connection between planning and public health. The grant aimed to promote access to healthy food in Chatham County by a) conducting a food system needs assessment; b) connecting local farmers to new institutional customers; c) developing policy recommendations to promote food access in at-risk communities; and d) activating elected and appointed officials to incorporate health into decision making.

Applying an equity-driven lens to community data analysis, Bluknowledge LLC a) conducted, analyzed, and synthesized stakeholder interviews with community officials, leaders, and gatekeepers to inform strategies for improving local access to healthy food through policy and environmental change; and b) strategized outreach to youth and priority populations about Plan4Health project activities. Findings informed the development of an implementation plan that prioritized policy, system, and environmental changes (PSE) intended to grow the local food system in Savannah-Chatham County.

Communications: Plan4Health Stakeholder Interview Summary.

Equity-Driven Public Engagement Portfolio

Public Health & Engagement: Childhood Obesity in Chatham County – Parent Focus Groups

Government client: Chatham County I Funder: National Foundations, Local and National Business Coalitions
The National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), and the United Health Foundation (UHF) funded the Savannah Business Group (SBG) to engage parents, employers, and physicians in raising awareness about and improving child wellness. Bluknowledge LLC implemented a parent engagement strategy to address childhood obesity. We conducted focus group research with five parent groups about child wellness at home, school, and in the community. Findings from this research were reported in the Childhood Obesity in Chatham County – Parent Focus Groups Summary Report and informed the development of parent resource guides, planning for the Parent Summit for Child Wellness, and implementation of the school wellness policy.

Communications: Childhood Obesity in Chatham County – Parent Focus Groups Summary Report [Executive Summary] [Full Summary Report] [Highlights], Parent Resource Guide [Pamphlet].

Equity and Social Justice: Let’s EAT, Healthy, PLAY Often, and Create COMMUNITY!

Government client: Coastal Health District
In August 2013, Bluknowledge LLC collaborated with Denise Grabowski of Symbioscity, and Cristina Gibson of Coastal Health District to plan and facilitate four (4) community forums in the Eastside and Westside neighborhoods of Savannah. In the first round of community meetings, residents mapped existing and potential healthy places in their neighborhoods and suggested ways their community wants to improve opportunities for healthy eating. The second round of meetings created space for community residents to plan their actions. After individual and collective reflections on how they can help their community, residents drafted community action plans – vision, action steps, and resources.

Community Engagement Tools: Community Assessment Initiative: Let’s EAT, Healthy, PLAY Often, and Create Community! [Shopping Survey], [Participants Strengths Survey].

Equity and Social Justice: Workforce Development

Non-Profit client: Regional United Way Network, Savannah Chamber of Commerce Government client: City of Savannah I Funder: Commissioned by Savannah Economic Development Authority, Savannah Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of the Coastal Empire, Contracted by Armstrong Atlantic State University’s Public Service Center
The Savannah Economic Development Authority, Savannah Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way of the Coastal Empire commissioned a study of the workforce in Savannah, Georgia to conduct primary research on barriers to employment faced by job seekers earning a GED or trade degrees. As part of this study, Bluknowledge LLC designed, facilitated, and analyzed six (6) focus group interviews with job seekers (4) and small business owners and representatives (2) to explore (a) challenges that residents, who are studying to achieve a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, face when seeking meaningful employment and (b) the small business community’s perceptions of the entry-level applicant pool for potential employees. The summary of findings was communicated in a research brief to inform the greater workforce study.

Communications: Workforce Development | Focus Group Summary – Job Seekers and Small Businesses in Savannah, Georgia [Full Summary Report] [Highlights].

Equity and Social Justice: Bring It Home at the Forsyth Farmers Market: Making Healthy Eating and Physical Activity More Accessible to Ethnically-Diverse, Low-income Families

Non-Profit client: Healthy Savannah Government client: City of Savannah
In October 2012, Bluknowledge LLC received a Healthy Savannah grant to design and deliver ten (10) healthy food education classes and three (3) market events during November 2012 and June 2013.

Market events engage new and existing Forsyth Farmers’ Market shoppers in a fun, interactive scavenger hunt. Through play, they become familiar with local farmers and foods; learn how to prepare easy, affordable recipes with local, in-season foods; and participate in physical activity.
Healthy food education classes introduce community residents to the local food system through a guided shopping tour of the Forsyth Farmers Market (and its satellites), followed by a Healthy FoodKnowledge class that includes nutrition education and a hands-on cooking experience.

In addition to promoting healthy practices that can prevent or reduce obesity and other related conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, Bring It Home also contributes to increased food security among low-income households and promotes a more sustainable local food system.

Communications: Bring It Home at the Forsyth Farmers Market: Making Healthy Eating and Physical Activity More Accessible to Ethnically-Diverse, Low-income Families [Summary].

Equity and Social Justice: Healthy FoodKnowledge

Faith-based client: Central Baptist Church, St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, and Temple of Glory Community Church. Government client: Coastal Health District I Funder: Coastal Health District
In 2012, Bluknowledge LLC partnered with the Coastal Health District to provide Healthy FoodKnowledge classes to three churches in the Faith and Wellness Network: Central Baptist Church, St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, and Temple of Glory Community Church.

Healthy FoodKnowledge offered nutrition education and food preparation guidance for community groups interested in learning easy, practical ways to eat healthy. Participants completed surveys to generate evidence about how the classes contributed to their (a) understanding of the nutritional value of healthy foods, (b) familiarity with local healthy food sources, and (c) plans to shop for and prepare healthy dishes.

Communications: Healthy FoodKnowledge | Educating Faith-based Communities about Healthy Eating [Summary], [Preliminary Report].

Public Health: Savannah ACTion Project

CDC-Funded Community Health & Economic Mobility Initiative
Bluknowledge LLC brings deep local expertise to the collection and synthesis of data informing Savannah’s financial empowerment landscape. Our work centers on aggregating local insights, engaging residents to understand community priorities, and translating research into a draft economic mobility blueprint that identifies key opportunities, challenges, and resource pathways.

STEM Education: STEMGenetics

University Client: Michigan State University I Funder: National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Project
Bluknowledge LLC provided consultation to co-principal investigators at Michigan State University and SRI International to support the design, study, and implementation of a middle-school science curriculum aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. The work centered on a research-based, iterative design process that integrated technology-enhanced learning to deepen students’ understanding of inheritance in plants and animals.

The project included mixed-methods research examining student learning outcomes within the instructional unit, alongside the design and facilitation of professional learning experiences that supported teachers’ implementation, reflection, and continuous instructional improvement.

STEM Education: WISE Guys and Gals

University client: Hofstra University I Funder: National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Project
Bluknowledge LLC consulted with co-principal investigators at Hofstra University and community partners at the Boys and Girls Clubs to design blended STEM learning experiences for middle-school youth. The initiative applied an informed engineering design pedagogy through the WISEngineering online learning environment to promote authentic problem-solving and sustained engagement.

Engineering design activities were adapted and disseminated for Family STEM programs, supported by customized session plans and participant surveys. Evaluation tools, including pre- and post-program assessments and post-session feedback, measured learning experiences, engagement, and overall program effectiveness.

STEM Education: Security and Privacy Education for Kids (SPE4K)

University client: University of Maryland’s College of Information, University of Chicago’s Computer Science Department I Funder: National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Project
From 2021-2024, Bluknowledge LLC conducted a 3-year evaluation of the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded research, Security & Privacy Education 4 Kids (SPE4K). SPE4K is an ongoing collaboration between researchers at the University of Maryland’s iSchool and the University of Chicago’s Computer Science Department.

We provided formative and summative evaluation services to (a) document key research and artifacts, (b) study the outcomes and impact of the designed cybersecurity learning materials and supporting training for teachers, and (c) identify and describe changes in learning and practice related to online privacy and security concepts across school and home contexts for elementary students, teachers, and parents. Evaluation methodologies included interviews, artifact analysis, observations of co-design sessions, and documentation.

Formative evaluation studies informed design and research decisions throughout the project. They centered on a) SPE4K researchers’ design inquiry into teachers’ and parents’ understanding and experiences with privacy and security and students’ emerging understanding and considerations of privacy and b) the co-design and implementation of classroom-based SPE4K learning resources with their partner schools. The summative evaluation reported on SPE4K’s partnerships and practices, synthesized SPE4K research challenges and contributions to the field, and presented recommendations for future research.

OUR FAMILY OF BRANDS

OUR SOCIALS

---