RHODE ISLANDS RACE TO THE TOP ROUND TWO RI Science and Technology Advisory Council May 6, 2010

Race To The Top – Round 1

Rhode Islands Race To The Top Application Closely aligned with priorities and objectives laid out in our strategic plan, Transforming Education in Rhode Island: Ensure Educator Excellence Accelerate All Schools Toward Greatness Establish World-Class Standards and Assessments Develop User-Friendly Data Systems Invest our resources wisely RTTT will provide funding to for RI to perform the planned work more efficiently and deeply.

Race To The Top Application Section A: State Success Factors Section B: Standards and Assessments Section C: Data Systems to Support Instruction Section D: Great Teachers and Leaders Section E: Turning Around the Lowest Achieving Schools Section F: State Reform Conditions Competitive Preference Priority: STEM

How RI Fared in Round 1 Rhode Island scored 8 th out of 41 applicants in Round 1! RI scored 2 nd highest in section D RIs section B highly regarded RI awarded full points for commitment to STEM RIs theory of action – focus on excellent educators, providing support to individuals and schools – well-received by reviewers RIs strategic plan provided a great foundation for RTTT application Reviewers acknowledged active engagement of many Rhode Islanders throughout the process of developing our application, especially at community forums last fall

Preparing for Round 2

Engagement Steering Committee Public meetings with School-committee chairs Superintendents Local labor leaders Principals Teachers Community forums Drafts posted on Web site and comments accepted

Section A: State Success Factors In this section, we state our principles of school reform, demonstrate broad stakeholder support, and show that we have made progress in raising student achievement. Rhode Island scored 99.2 out of 125 possible points in Round 1.

STEM Highlights within Section A 2005s Governors Blue Ribbon Panel on Math and Science Education now called Project Making the Grade Defined rigorous yet attainable proficiency achievement goals for students in mathematics and science as stated in Strategic Plan. Established Education Leadership Councils in Science, Mathematics, and Information Technology to serve as an advisory resource for schools and districts.

Section B: Standards and Assessments Three components to Section B: Developing and adopting common standards Developing and implementing common assessments Supporting transition to enhanced standards and assessments Rhode Island scored 66 out of 70 possible points in Round 1.

STEM Highlights for Section B The Rhode Island K-12 Grade Span Expectations (GSEs) in Engineering and Technology (scheduled for endorsement in July, 2010) Study the Standards workshops scheduled in the summer of 2010 with focus on RI STEM grade span expectations. Incorporate pilot project-based learning approach to connect the Engineering and Technology Grade Span Expectations to ongoing curriculum and instruction.

Section C: Data Systems to Support Instruction This section includes: Implementing a longitudinal data system (24 pts), accessing and using state data (5 pts), and using data to improve instruction (18 pts). Rhode Island scored 31.2 out of 47 possible points in Round 1.

STEM Highlights for Section C RIDE is conducting an ongoing series of STEM Data Workshops which train educators to use assessment data to improve instruction, assessment and curriculum Rhode Island Teachers and Technology Initiative (RITTI) program which brings technology and effective professional development in the in the use of educational technology, data systems and analysis of data is entering its 15 th year of implementation.

Section D: Great Teachers and Leaders This section describes the conditions that need to be present, expanded, and/or developed to ensure that all children are served by expert and effective teachers and leaders. Rhode Island scored out of 138 possible points in Round 1.

STEM Highlights for Section D On-going professional development The Rhode Island Center for Excellence in STEM Education at Rhode Island College Utilize established networks of distinguished educators in STEM support efforts in the development of Master Teachers and reform-based efforts such as the Turnaround Teacher Corps Rhode Island has several successful and well-funded STEM focused programs designed to enhance teacher content knowledge and student proficiency. RITES, Project ARISE, Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program, Physics-First, Nautilus Live

Section E: Turning Around the Lowest Achieving Schools Section E articulates the plans for intervention and support to close achievement gaps, accelerate student growth, and generate academic success in the states persistently lowest-achieving schools. Rhode Island scored 45.4 out of 50 possible points in Round 1.

STEM Highlights - Section E RI Environmental Literacy Plan currently in development to strengthen environmental science programs via partnerships with informal education providers and community groups. Identify and train STEM distinguished educators from the established networks to support efforts in the development of Master Teachers and Turnaround Teacher Corps. Recruit STEM-focused, high-performing charter schools modeled after schools such as Denver School of Science and Technology, Hawaii Technology Academy, and High Tech High.

Section F: State Reform Conditions Addresses the extent to which the state has created an environment to ensure that: 1) education funding is a priority; 2) successful conditions exist for high-performing charter schools and other innovative schools; and 3) other education reforms or innovations have been possible that have increased student achievement or graduation rates, narrowed achievement gaps, or resulted in other important outcomes. Rhode Island scored 40.4 out of 55 possible points in Round 1.

STEM Highlights - Section F Cited Charter School examples such as The Green School where students focus on direct experiences with environmental science, and the technology. The Inner Space Center (ISC) at URI and The Inner Space Center at Smithfield High School allows students to participate in primary research and act like scientists The Alternative Energy Lab facility at Ponagansett High School features cooking oil to biodiesel conversion as well as fuel cell and solar panel design and engineering.

Competitive Priority: STEM Application calls for the description of a high-quality plan to 1) offer rigorous courses of study in STEM, 2) cooperate with external STEM partners to prepare teachers in STEM integration, and 3) prepare students for advanced study in STEM and address needs of underrepresented groups. Rhode Island scored the full 15 possible points in Round 1 Use STEM throughout Round 2 application

We Have Work To Do 2009 NECAP High School Science – 19.4% Proficient High School Mathematics – 27% Proficient 2009 NAEP Grade 8 Math – 28% Proficient Ranks RI 37 th in the nation

STEM Goals in Strategic Plan Accelerating All Schools to Greatness Committed to multiple pathways Virtual learning Career preparation Ensuring Educator Effectiveness Professional development that supports student growth and achievement World Class Standards And Assessments Rigorous STEM curricula Model Units of Study