COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERS College Access Summit Curriculum Alignment Working Group A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP OF CENTRAL FLORIDA K-12 SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND UCF COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERS

History of Curriculum Alignment Sponsored by UCF Regional Campuses, Undergraduate Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Started with a need to look at digital media – which lead to a Banner Center being awarded to Seminole State College. The Chief Learning Officers of the consortium colleges saw a need to address math, then chemistry, physics, and biology. The most recent addition was computer programming through the awarding of a National Science Foundation grant in 2010 On October 27, 2010 first regional Curriculum Alignment conference was held at Valencia Community College. First time to include K-12 schools in the alignment discussion

Curriculum Alignment Work-To-Date 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Begin align Digital Media Between CC’s and UCF Regional Digital Media Education And Workforce Development Initiative Begin align Math CC and UCF Begin align Physics CC and UCF Begin align Biology CC, SC, and UCF Continue align STEM Disc CC, SC, UCF Math Begin Multidisc Align CC, SC, UCF Begin align Chemistry CC and UCF Begin Explore Ways for PreK-12 to Work with CC, SC, UCF

Key Successes Alignment of topics and learning outcomes across the 7 educational institutions. Changing courses to improve student success. Mutual agreement on topics covered in key courses. Sharing of best practices: Discussions at the workshops. Postings on the web site. Changing curriculum and courses. Changing 4 UCF Digital Media courses from 3xxx to 2xxx so that the community college partners had a common set of transferrable courses. Adding MAC1140 at UCF.

Curriculum Alignment Conference October 27, 2010 Purpose: To bring together instructors and administrators from K-12, Community Colleges, State Colleges, and UCF to begin working together on curriculum alignment from K-20 Meet each other and determine to work together Identify concrete goals for the upcoming year Discuss next conference scheduled for October, 2011 Set long term goals Special guest Mary Jane Tappen, Deputy Chancellor for Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Services from DOE

Goals and Action Items Biology Chemistry Improve biology lab skills for entering freshman. Standardize HS biology curriculum beginning with labs. Improve pedagogical and content knowledge of MS/HS teachers. Increase ongoing support from CC/Univ to MS/HS. Improve general college readiness of HS Students. Chemistry Academic transition readiness - Students will be prepared to enter the next level of the chemistry curriculum Students will demonstrate mastery of core concepts and skills, eg. scientific method, experimental design, data collection and analysis, results communication (written and verbal), inquiry labs are a tool for accomplishing this Students will demonstrate strong problem solving and critical thinking skills and scientific curiosity Students will have established successful learning strategies including basic study, note taking, and time management skills Establish and maintain a supportive communication, resource network, and meeting schedule for K-16 and industry

Goals (continued) Physics Math Continue and initiate more dialogue between high school and college levels. Provide constant communication of course descriptions and ongoing assessments between levels. Discuss and align placement process from secondary to post secondary (6-20). Develop a consistent alignment of concepts taught and tools used in the K- 20 levels. Share data to modify instruction to achieve desired learning outcomes. Physics Develop a Lab Curriculum/List of Suggestions Clear communication between K-12 , colleges, and FDOE Improve Public Relations Implement STEM Competition (JETS, Physics Olympiad) hosted by the regional college Align physics curriculum (middle school – college)

Curriculum Alignment Future Work 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2020 First Joint K-12, CC, SC, UCF Meeting Cont. align STEM HS,CC, SC, UCF Cont. align STEM MS, HS, CC, SC, UCF Cont. align STEM ES, MS, HS, CC, SC, UCF Cont cross Disciplinary alignment Begin align STEM Disc HS,CC, SC, UCF Incorp. Middle Schools Incorp. Elem Schools Begin cross Disciplinary alignment

More Information http://www.curriculumalignment.ucf.edu