It’s About Implementation, Not Attendance It’s About Implementation, Not Attendance! How can leaders support teachers to implement authentic project-based learning? Scott Warren SREB

What I Believe: It’s not college or careers, it’s both! Rigor is a term thrown about with little agreement on what it truly looks like. Professional development may be the greatest waste of money in education today. Give a man a fish and he eats today, teach a man to fish and …

He will sit in a boat and drink beer all day!

Today Why we need Authentic Project Based Learning The role of the leader in implementation

Rising Workplace Requirements and Opportunities “The new economy requires not just white-collar workers but also workers with outstanding technical skills and highly developed problem-solving abilities. These workers will be the backbone of tomorrow’s prosperity.” Source: A Sharper Focus on Technical Workers How to Educate and Train for the Global Economy. NGA Center for Best Practices, 2010 We are told that over the next decade about one out two new jobs will require less than a baccalaureate degree but more than a high school diploma. Forty percent or more of workers in these jobs will have an average salary higher than those who hold a bachelor’s degree. In recent telephone interviews with SREB state political and educational leaders, we found that private sector employers cannot find qualified employees with the mix of skills needed to fill jobs requiring more than a high school education but less than a bachelor’s degree. US states rank second internationally in the number of persons who hold a bachelor’s degree. However, we rank 13th in the number who hold a credential that required some education and training beyond high school, but less than a bachelor’s degree.

Middle Skill Jobs in Virginia 49% of the jobs in VA in 2012 were considered middle skill jobs It is estimated that 46% of the job openings through 2020 will be middle school jobs

Business Today Requires Knowledge Workers Who: Use their brains every minute to get the job done; Understand complicated processes and systems; and Anticipate, predict, prevent, troubleshoot and solve problems in a high-pressure environment. Reason for adopting Advanced Career pathway programs of study or retooling traditional CT fields that now require training beyond high school is to produce the knowledge workers needed. These knowledge workers use their brains every minute to get the job done. They understand complicated processes and systems, and they anticipate, predict, prevent, troubleshoot and solve problems in a high-pressure environment. The unfortunate plane crash in San Francisco illustrates this point very well when the pilots only had eight seconds to react. Today, high school students cannot prepare for the technical jobs of today through their grandfather’s CT programs. A different type of CT curriculum is needed.

Business Today Requires Strong Technical and 21st-Century Skills From hospitals to factories — fast-paced environments in which employees must know: how to function as individuals and as a team amid rapid technological changes; how to assess information; and how to diagnose problems quickly using problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to make split-second judgments. Procedural-based CT courses are no longer adequate. Courses designed to teach students to follow a set of procedures will not prepare them for today’s workplace. Today’s modern workplace is far more complicated, and we need technical workers who can analyze the situation, bring knowledge to bear, work through optional solutions and arrive at the best course of action. Students need the kind of project/problem-centered instruction that is open ended, where students have to do research; look at alternative solutions for completing the task; select an approach, assess results, and revise as needed as opposed to being handed a procedure sheet to follow.

And We have to many GADLIMBs! We have too many graduates who look like this! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY2mRM4i6tY

Implications for Career-Technical Education Reflect the requirements of the knowledge economy — e.g., critical thinking and problem solving — that are important in today’s manufacturing and other work settings. Collaborate with industry leaders to create authentic, intellectually demanding assignments, and align career programs with workforce need. Source: A Sharper Focus on Technical Workers How to Educate and Train for the Global Economy. NGA Center for Best Practices, 2010. The new requirements of the workplace requires high school and career and technical center leaders to support teachers to devise assignments that 1) are intellectually demanding involving real-world projects; 2) and require students to do critical thinking and problem solving. Creating such assignments will require collaboration with local and state industry partners. It is not just engineers who will be the new STEM workers. It will be a whole host of other workers who must have the technical, literacy, math, science, and the problem-solving skills.

What do New CTE Assignments Need to Look Like? Students: Develop a logical argument for your solution to a problem or project Make inferences from information provided to develop a solution for a problem or project Use math to solve complex problems related to my CT area Apply academic knowledge and skills

What do New CTE Assignments Need to Look Like? Apply technical knowledge and skills to new situations Develop and test hypotheses Complete extended projects that require planning, developing a solution or product and presenting the results orally or in writing Use appropriate technology to complete assignments or projects

Students experienced more than 4 of the 8 indicators Rigorous CTE Students experienced more than 4 of the 8 indicators Demographics CT Students Had Rigorous CTE No Rigorous CTE n = 7989 n = 14590 % Male 49% 52% Female 51 48 White 73 61 Minority 27 39 Education after High School (high)1 65 56 No Education after High School (low)1 35 44 1Education after high school is used as a proxy for socio-economic status. Source: 2012 HSTW Assessment

Percentage of Students Meeting College- and Career-Readiness Goals CT Students Meeting College and Career Readiness Goals Percent Meeting HSTW Readiness Goals Student Experiences Had Rigorous CTE No Rigorous CTE n = 7989 n = 14590 Reading 69% 46% Mathematics 66 48 Science 67 45 Source: 2012 HSTW Assessment Note: CTE Students only

Meet 2012 HSTW College-Readiness Goals: Academic Core and Rigorous CT Rigorous CT Impacts Achievement CT Students HSTW Curriculum HSTW Curriculum + Rigorous CT Courses Difference Rigorous CT Courses Make n = 3438 n = 2760 Meet Reading Goal 63% 80% 17% Meet Mathematics Goal 65 78 13% Meet Science Goal 61 Source: 2012 HSTW Assessment Note: CTE Students only

Authentic PBL: How Do We Get There? Shift the thinking that PBL is the dessert! Engage business and industry in a new way! Eliminate Spray and Pray! Create purpose driven students!

More than dessert! The Old Model: Teach them and then give the project. Project Title: Soldering connects your world Essential Question: How do you choose the correct soldering alloy? Project Description: Take 6 different base materials and solder alloys; join materials using the soldering process. Evaluate the process for strength and connectivity as well as electrical conductivity. Show non-example at this time and explain that, while this is work that would be done on the job, it does not provide context or “packaging” that lets us see the context of why someone would be doing this on the job. I explain that this is just a description of the technical skill. I point out the essential question and ask them to compare to the revised project description on the following slide.

Making it the whole meal! Authentic Projects with authentic roles Use the appropriate problem-solving process Use the project-development process.

Problem-Solving Design Processes SREB Design Process Engineering Design Process Troubleshooting Life Cycle Design Business Scientific Method   Ask/Inquire Identifying the problem Diagnose the Problem Define Requirements Define Question Imagine Measure Research Plan Relevant Information Find Possible Solutions Design Analyze Hypothesis Create Conceptualization Take Action Build Develop Test Experiment/ Evaluate Evaluation and Analysis Evaluate and Analyze Improve Implementation Revise Communicate Deliver Final Product Evolution Deliver

Step One – A new way to engage Business Assess Business and Industry Needs Identify what students must know and be able to do to obtain and keep a job in the business that will support a family of four. Step One: Business and Industry needs This step can be done either through surveying or having business and industry partners at the table.

Step Two Brainstorm Ideas What authentic project will require students to master appropriate technical, academic and 21st-century skills to complete successfully? Before moving to activity ask , “Why would you want to do this?” Connect students to their future career. Show them why I need to know this Deepen academic learning Students who need motivation are more engaged when they can make connections.

Step Three Develop a Project Choose one project idea from your list and develop a draft project description: Project Title Brief description of what students will perform or produce The items in red are the parts they will complete first. They will choose an authentic work-place project. Write an essential question that will guide teaching and learning and student engagement. Develop the description of what students will produce or perform But first let’s look at essential questions:

Project Template You are a (insert a real-workplace role). You are faced with (insert a problem). You must (insert what must be done to solve the problem). Once you have decided on a course of action, you will (insert an opportunity for presentation to an authentic audience). I tell the teams that they might consider using this template to ensure the project is an authentic work-place project. They are not required to use this precisely, but the four italicized components are important.

Project Description: Authenticity: Workplace role or job title Authentic problem to be solved Identify what students will do Tell students how to document solutions (e.g., presentations, reports, etc.) Authenticity: Authentic to the field? Prepare students for the future? Doable in high school? Academics: Does the project require practice of science, mathematics, and language arts skills? Once your team has developed project descriptions, you will want to review them to make certain they are really getting to a rigorous CT curriculum.

Authentic Projects Include: Technical Prompt: Design, build and test OR investigate, conduct, analyze Writing Prompt: Research/Report; history; theory; contemporary use; design and how to construct electrical motors Science Prompt: Design and conduct inquiry of a testable hypothesis on motor performance under a variety of conditions Math Prompt: Test motor under various conditions; collect, analyze and chart on performance and conditions

Make it the meal! Project Title: Soldering connects your world Essential Question: How do you choose the correct soldering alloy? Project Description: Take 6 different base materials and solder alloys; join materials using the soldering process. Evaluate the process for strength and connectivity as well as electrical conductivity.

Key Phrase: Design, Build, Evaluate Do you see the project template in this improved project description? Key Phrase: Design, Build, Evaluate

Science Prompt PFT Phase One Do you see the project template in this improved project description? PFT Phase One

Do you see the project template in this improved project description? Math Prompt

Literacy Prompt PFT Phase One Do you see the project template in this improved project description? Literacy Prompt PFT Phase One

PA Example: Blowing in the Wind Essential Question: Is the answer really blowing in the wind? You are a wind turbine technician and you are faced with working with a design team of wind turbine technicians to research, design, build and test a working wind turbine from a ceiling fan rotor (CWFT: ceiling fan wind turbine) that will charge a battery array and help to reduce the operating cost of a greenhouse. Your team will need to research the various designs for wind turbines and build the most effective, as well as, least expensive wind turbine possible from a ceiling fan.

Each member of the team must maintain a professional log of daily activity and each team will be responsible for a presentation of the procedures they followed in designing and building and subsequently testing their wind turbine. The team must describe the algebraic formulas and show calculations used to measure the success of their wind turbine in power production during testing. An inventory of parts used and accurate costs must be submitted in the form of a bid proposal that serves as a final analysis cost estimate of production for their wind turbine.

Results Before we did Authentic Projects, we had “Math Monday” and “Literacy Wednesday,” most of my students would be absent. Now they are in class everyday and not realizing they are doing math and literacy in the project. NOCTI pretest – 5% at proficiency After Project Unit NOCTI Assessment – 100% proficient Dan Shorthouse, Electrical Instructor, Forbes Road Career and Technology Center, Monroe, PA

Three Graphic Arts Teachers Three School in Three Counties One Project Plan

Cereal Box Product Branding You are a graphic designer working for an advertising agency. You are faced with the complete branding of a cereal company. You have been asked to create images for the corporate logo, the name and logo of the kid’s cereal itself, a mascot/character to promote the cereal, the box/container the cereal will be sold in, and the product magazine advertisement. You must research existing past and present kid’s cereals and develop a corporate logo, product logo, mascot/character figure design, product box/container for the cereal, and the product magazine advertisement to publicize the product. West Virginia Graphic Arts Teachers - Rick Bay, Doug Martin, and Jeff Wamsley

With Teachers …. Have them get in groups by like content, look at additional examples and begin to generate potential authentic projects using the Project Design Template Turn to a neighbor and see if you can come up with a project idea? Remember, an authentic role and problem. For a group of leaders, we are going in a different direction.

Why Focus on The Leaders SREB has provided Literacy (LDC), Math (MDC) and/or Enhanced CT Training at over 400 sites in the past three years The process and the PD are the most standardized we have ever used All workshops the same Job-embedded follow-up Yet, this support is changing the way teachers teach at some places and floundering at others? Why? Turn to a neighbor, introduce yourself and discuss

The Big Surprise #1! We observed almost no instances where, in the same school, the LDC/MDC or Enhanced CT (Project-based Learning) was working well for one teacher but not for others. The trend was that the training was impacting all or none in any single school! Why? Turn to a neighbor!

Big Surprise #2 Although the quality of the teacher is key for our design of developing teacher leaders, the actions that leaders took (big and small) had a bigger impact on implementation than the quality of the teachers who participated.

Practices of Leaders in Schools Where it is Working Professional Development truly is a process, not an event (THINK BDA) Before the PD During After the PD Planned follow-up Collaboration Peer observations Focused Walkthrough Observations Effective Feedback

Before the PD Answer the question why Link to teacher observations People pay attention when something is said that connects with something they desire. Provide CLEAR expectations (vision) Keep the main thing the main thing – Avoid the new toy approach Communicate it is not spray and pray

Before PD: Remember the Change Process Move teachers from victims to owners of change! Establish a need for change among those who must change. Give them a vision for the change Involve them in building the plan Start small to ensure success Celebrate successes and provide feedback Continue the change process with data collection/adaptations

Establishing Why - College and Career Readiness Reviews Multiple parts Desktop review of business/industry regional outlook Student/faculty surveys Facilitated self-study around Signature Features (see next slide) External Team Review Formal report to school/board/community

Signature Features Students are able to access high-quality career pathway programs of study that offer technical courses aligned with a college- ready academic core. Career technical and high school leaders work to create an organization and scheduling structure that enable CT teachers to work frequently with other CT teachers, academic teachers and counselors to plan integrated technical assignments. CT course sequences are derived from industry, reflect future employment needs

Signature Features Students are given authentic project-based assignments that require them to (1) apply their understanding of high school-level math, literacy and science; (2) demonstrate good habits of mind and behavior; and (3) exhibit problem-solving skills to complete. Students are assessed using several strategies — rubrics, exams, written deliverables, teacher observations and external assessments. Students receive feedback and opportunities to relearn and master concepts and skills through authentic assignments. Career pathway programs of study are supported with a counseling for careers approach to educational and career exploration that begins no later than the middle grades and continues through high school.

Signature Features CT courses are taught by highly qualified teachers who have demonstrated their mastery of the academic, technical and 21st-century standards and skills and teaching methods . CT teachers work with both industry and postsecondary partners to create authentic projects and problems, assess the quality of student work against workplace and postsecondary requirements, offer students work-based learning experiences and provide students with information and advising that eases their transition from high school to further education, training and employment.

During PD Participate – Participate – Participate Remember the old saying, “you learned more about ____ the first year you taught it than all the years of college?” You learn it by doing it. Be a mentor at a table (requires pre-work)

A New Idea Leaders come to PD session with their teacher eval/classroom obs tools. Leaders create observation tools/walkthroughs that align with the PD The PD session ends with the leader presenting the tool to the faculty.

After PD What gets monitored, gets done – look for the new practices Walkthrough Forms Lesson Plans Other methods of monitoring Establish Demonstration Classrooms – the surgery model Recognize what you want to see more of in classrooms Invite business/industry in to observe/judge/ evaluate

Ongoing Support is Essential: B – D - A Why Do Americans Stink at Math? In 1970’s Japan taught math like in the US NCTM recommended changes Japan implemented with ongoing support – Lesson Study format In US, teachers get one –four days of PD and it may be on multiple topics

Organize and Expect Teacher Collaboration PLCs, Cross-disciplinary, Departments, other Finding time – the first leader challenge Setting expectations – the second leader challenge – collaboration by invitation does not work Providing support – the third leader challenge Common planning needs to become part of your professional development plan.

Professional Dialogue: Using Protocols Common Protocols Tuning Protocol Five Why Praise – Question – Polish Consultancy Final Word Standards in Practice The Power of Protocols: An Educator’s Guide to Better Practice - By Joseph McDonald, Nancy Mohr, Alan Dichter, Elizabeth C. McDonald

Multiple SREB Supports College and Career Readiness Reviews – Do your programs align with needs? Are programs rigorous? New Advanced Career Programs of Study Teach to Lead (T2L) NRCCTE Tools Math in CT Science in CT Literacy in CT Enhanced CT through Authentic Project-based Learning

Final Thoughts Stealing from another Warren We need Purpose Driven Students Connect them to: A career goal A plan to achieve the goal An adult to help them achieve the goal Authentic instruction that reflects the career goal

Thank you Remember, all schools and all teachers want to improve. However, few want to change. The fact remains that to improve, one MUST change.