New Certification Process for High School Programs Presented By: Bryan Coburn Georgia Southern University

Why bother with a new process?

3 PLTW ™ Mission Create dynamic partnerships with our nation’s schools to prepare an increasing and more diverse group of students to be successful in science, engineering and engineering technology programs.

4 Goal One: Quality and Consistency of Program Implementation By 2011 all Project Lead The Way ® schools will meet school certification standards whereby every Project Lead The Way ® school shall be held accountable to meet and maintain the quality set of implementation and performance standards as established by Project Lead The Way, Inc.

5 Attributes of a PLTW ™ Curriculum: Contextual project/problem-based instruction Integration of the national standards in M,S,T and ELA Successful preparation of students for 2/4 post secondary programs of study Support for the technology workforce pipeline

6 School District Agreement

7 School Agreement Highlights 2.1. High school programs will implement 4 courses within 4 years; GTT a minimum of 2 units High school students will be concurrently enrolled in college prep mathematics & 2. Schools will use designated software and will annually purchase software from PLTW™ or a designated reseller.

8 School Agreement Highlights 9. Equipment meeting PLTW ™ specifications will be provided for instruction. 10.B Written or electronic versions of the PLTW ™ high school end-of-course assessments will be administered. 11.C. High schools will begin the certification process no later than the 2 nd year of their PLTW ™ participation.

9 School Agreement Highlights 7.A. Faculty will participate in all 3 phases of professional development. 7.D. Laptop and software are provided for the sole use of teachers while teaching PLTW ™ 7.E.iii. & F. Training and transportation costs for teachers and counselors are covered by the district. 8. Partnership team is established and operating by the end of second year.

What do I need to know?

11 Steps PLTW ™ has taken 1.Aligned Certification Process and new documents with Project Lead The Way ® Quality Indicators 2.Assisted states in the selection of Certification Team Members 3.Conducted Professional Development for Teams 4.Developed and Implemented full network rollout plan

12 Certification Process Documents Guide for Schools Self- Assessment Portfolio/Engineering Notebook and Equipment Guide Software Listing Site Visit Interview Guide School Visit Sample Schedule Equipment Pictures Site Visit Guide Visit Reporting Document

13 Certification Outcomes Certified – meets all required components Provisional – one or more requirements are not met. Timeline for compliance is determined, students can participate in college credit – school does not receive star or banner Probation – School refuses to meet agreement requirements. Letter sent to Superintendent & Principal from PLTW ™. Timeline for compliance is given – non- compliance results in removal from PLTW ™ network

14 Gateway To Technology Basic Implementation Design and Modeling (sequence may vary) Automation and Robotics Full Implementation Design and Modeling Automation and Robotics Science of Technology (sequence may vary) Magic of Electrons OptionalFlight and Space

15 High School: Engineering Foundation: Introduction to Engineering Design Principles of Engineering (sequence may vary) Digital Electronics Specialization : Aerospace Engineering Biotechnical Engineering Civil Engineering & Architecture Computer Integrated Manufacturing Capstone : Engineering Design and Development

16 High School: Biomedical Sciences 1. Principles of the Biomedical Sciences 2. Human Body Systems 3. Medical Interventions 4. Science Research

17 How do I go about it?

18 High School Certification Process Self-assessment is downloaded from the PLTW ™ website. Self-Assessment is completed and submitted electronically. Purchase order is generated. Evaluator contacts the school and sets up the visit. The visit is conducted to verify a quality program exists. Completed Report and Site Visit Guide are sent to school and PLTW ™ national office by the lead evaluator. National office sends congratulatory letter and banner to fully certified schools.

19 Gateway To Technology Recognition Process Self-assessment is downloaded from the PLTW ™ website. Self-Assessment is completed and returned to national office with supporting documentation and fee. Existence of a quality program is verified. National office sends congratulatory letter and banner to the school.

20 Benefits of Certification High SchoolGateway To Technology Participation in the college credit exams. National school recognition. Satisfaction of one of the eligibility requirements to apply for a master teacher position. Satisfaction of one of the future eligibility requirements to apply for a master teacher position. Assistance in “honors or weighted credit.”

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22 Webpage screen capture Certification Process and Documents Found here: Assessment & Evaluation

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24 Questions?