Research Practice Partnerships (RPPs) are a relatively
recent development as a potential strategy to address the
complex challenges in computer science education. Consequently,
there is little guidance available for assessing the effectiveness of
RPPs. This paper describes the formative evaluation approach
used to assess the progress of the first year of the formalized RPP,
Chicago Alliance for Equity in Computer Science (CAFE´CS).
This paper contributes to the RPP literature by providing a case
study of how an RPP effectiveness framework can be adapted
and used to inform partnership improvement efforts in computer
science education