Results of Night and Day Evaluation

Spring 2001

Bridgework Theater evaluated the effect of performances of the play Night and Day given during the spring of 2001. A total of 185 seventh grade students comprised a control group and 151 seventh graders comprised the test group. The test group viewed a performance of Night and Day. Most (but not all) in the test group participated in classroom activities following the performance. Values assigned to responses were (left to right) 1 to 5. A Z-test measured whether or not difference between the groups was significant. A Z-score of 1.65 indicates significance at a .05 level (95% chance that the same results would be obtained from similar tests).

-------- Statement #1 --------

Statement: When I compare myself with people in my school who belong to different groups than I do, I believe that these people are _______.

very different different sort of different like very much

from me from me but sort of like me like me

me

Evaluator's intent: Measure student's perception of difference between self and people in different racial or social groups

Results: Control group mean score – 2.77 Test group mean score – 2.95

Z-score – 2.13

Interpretation: Compared to a control group, students who saw the play perceived less of difference between themselves and people who belonged to different racial or groups.

-------- Statement #2 --------

Statement: My attitude about people in my school who belong to different groups than I do is that I ___________ to try to understand how these people feel.

very much want am not sure don’t want really don’t

want if I want want

Evaluator's intent: Measure student's willingness to try to empathize with people in other groups.

Results: Control group mean score -- 2.74 Test group mean score -- 2.48

Z-score -- 2.79

Interpretation: Compared to a control group, students who saw the play were more willing to try to empathize with people in other groups.

-------- Statement # 3 --------

Statement: I _______________ that I can understand how people feel who are in groups that are different than my own.

strongly doubt am not sure believe strongly

doubt believe

Evaluator's intent: Measure student's confidence in their ability to empathize with people in other groups.

Results: Control group mean score -- 3.32 Test group mean score -- 3.47

Z-score -- 1.50

Interpretation: While not statistically significant, there was a trend toward significance (p<. 08). The trend was that, compared to the control group, students who saw the play tended to be more confident in their ability to empathize with people in other racial or social groups.

CONCLUSION:

Night and Day (1) significantly decreases the difference that students perceive between themselves and people in racial or social groups other than their own, (2) significantly increases the willingness of students to empathize with people in racial or social groups other than their own. A tendency towards statistical significance indicates a good possibility that the play also increases the confidence of students to empathize with people in racial or social groups other than their own.

Participating Schools:

St. Joseph School

221 Park Place

Libertyville, IL 60048

Stockbridge Middle School

303 W. Elisabeth Street

Stockbridge, MI 49285

Westfield Middle School

328 W. Main Street

Westfield, IN 46074