Valencia College: The Art of Tomorrow Scholars Program Evaluation

Funded by the Universal Orlando Foundation, The Art of Tomorrow Scholars (AoTS) was a dual credit initiative led by Valencia College in partnership with Orange County Public Schools. Designed to introduce high school students to careers in arts and entertainment, the program blended college-level coursework with real-world exposure to behind-the-scenes technology at Universal Orlando.

Shaffer Evaluation Group conducted a mixed-methods evaluation of the program to examine impacts related to student engagement, college readiness, and career awareness. We collaborated with program stakeholders to develop a theory of change and logic model, which guided the evaluation design. Using quasi-experimental methods and district-provided student data, we found that AoTS participants had higher attendance, fewer disciplinary infractions, and stronger indicators of college readiness than their peers.

Qualitative findings from focus groups, program observations, and review of course materials highlighted students’ increased interest in arts and entertainment careers, improved planning for education pathways, and strong postsecondary enrollment rates.