An Exploratory Test of a Model for Enhancing the Sustainability of NSF’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program

This report, from Wayne W. Welch of the University of Minnesota, studies the impact and sustainability of the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education program. Specifically, the paper focuses on a model developed in relation to sustainability success. The model is composed of seven elements considered important for the ATE program: "widespread participation; abundant information; adequate resources; knowledge and skills/training; distributed power; broaden base; coordination with current initiatives and administrative support; and promotion and marketing." The experiment determined the effect size of each model element and proved the model supported ATE sustainability.