Future PathwaysTeaching and Learning Laboratory

Central Campus—Des Moines Public Schools

Paul Ruby, Melanie Thompson, & Teresa Peterson

An Introduction

“Ask any student what is wrong with education today and they will tell you the truth; it’s not that schools are no longer what they used to be, it’s that they are

precisely what they used to be.”

Des Moines Public SchoolsNew Ends for a New Century

The Future Pathways Model

Personal, Progressive, Project-Based

Future Pathways-By the Numbers2006-2007

Human Resources & Outcomes• 647 Students Served• 1,510 Courses Completions• 151 Graduates• 12 Discipline Referrals• 21 Staff Members• 4 School Improvement Teams• 1 Shared Vision

Documented Contacts Made by Advocates• 2,020 Phone Calls• 284 Emails• 1,159 Postcards  

Mission

Future Pathways at Central Campusempowers young adults

in a progressive and personalized educational environment through project-based learning and technology.

Vision

• Every Future Pathways student will:• Have at least one Future Pathways adult who

knows them well• Master competencies in the courses, 21st

Century skills, and progressive technology through project-based learning

• Be challenged with rigorous coursework that honors their interests and is relevant to their lives

• Be engaged in learning and working toward graduation

Vision

• Every Future Pathways staff member will:• Convey professional integrity• Be an advocate for the whole student and their

personal success• Commit to educational innovation and

challenge tradition in education• Be dedicated to reflective practice,

professional growth, and peer coaching of colleagues

Learning Environment

• No group classes or class periods• Flexible scheduling • Open work space• No unnecessary rules

– “When you’re here, you’re learning and working toward graduation.”

Teaching and Learning at Future Pathways

Picture the Graduate

What characteristics do we want our graduates to have?

What adjectives do we want used to describe them?

What skills do they need to be successful in life?

If we truly value these things, how will we…• incorporate them into our students’ learning

experiences?• plan our curriculum, instruction, and assessments

around them?• incorporate them into our interactions with students

each day?• embed them in our program’s mission and vision?• make them a long-term priority?• create total alignment?

The Future Pathways Model• Marriage of Understanding by Design (UbD) and

The Buck Institute Project-Based Learning• 21st Century Skills• Co-curricular Learning• Infusion of Technology• Building on Established “Best Practices”• Supported by Advocacy• Grounded and Furthered in Research and Data• Ongoing Professional Development for

Continuous Improvement • Internal Accountability

Future Pathways Learning ProcessConference

Interests, future plans, past

experiences, brainstorm project

ideas.

Assessment & Reflection

Assessment using rubric, discussion,

teacher and student reflect

together.

ResearchResearch possible

ideas, Goal=Identify

project topic/focus.

GRASPSRegroup, discuss,

clarify, formally plan project,

identify essential or driving questions.

Project Management

Research, discussion, checks for understanding.

ProductCreating, revising,

technology-infused,

professional. *Must link directly

to GRASPS.

PresentationFormal display of

product and understanding to audience. *Must link directly to

GRASPS.

Knowing vs. Understanding(Adapted from Understanding by Design)

• Memorized facts• Proven claims• Right or wrong• Recalling facts to

answer short questions• Following teacher

directions• Measured in paper and

pencil tasks

• The meaning of facts• Creating theories• Both right and wrong• Using facts to solve

problems• Testing hypotheses;

Creating new solutions• Measured with

authentic tasks

The Ultimate Goal is Transfer

Picture the Graduate21st Century Skills• Communication• Critical Thinking• Problem Solving• Teamwork & Collaboration• Adaptability & Resiliency• International Perspective• Cultural Proficiency• Health & Wellness• Ethics• Democracy• Creativity & Innovation• Social Responsibility

MariaA Plan for New Orleans

MarkCivil War or Revolution?

Picture the Graduate21st Century Skills• Communication• Critical Thinking• Problem Solving• Teamwork & Collaboration• Adaptability & Resiliency• International Perspective• Cultural Proficiency• Health & Wellness• Ethics• Democracy• Creativity & Innovation• Social Responsibility

Picture the Graduate

• How were 21st Century Skills demonstrated throughout our students’ projects?

• How does our students’ work reflect our values and philosophy?– If there is a gap between our vision and our

reality, how will we close it?

Assessment

Project Defined

MinimalSloppy

IneffectiveConfusing

SimplisticLiteral

LacklusterUnimaginative

EffectivePrepared

MeaningfulCreative

ProfessionalRehearsedEngaging

EntertainingMoving

Performance

MinimalSloppy

IneffectiveConfusing

SimplisticLiteral

LacklusterUnimaginative

EffectivePrepared

MeaningfulCreative

ProfessionalRehearsedEngaging

EntertainingMoving

Product

RemovedScattered

IneffectiveThoughtless

DependentOrganizedInvolvedEffective

CarefulCoherent

SequentialEngaged

CohesiveMethodicalPurposeful

EfficientLogical

Directing

Learning Process

Qu

alit

y of

Pro

ject

Shows little apparent understanding of the

relevant ideas or processes. The concepts, evidence,

arguments, and methods are inadequate or faulty. Major misunderstandings of key

ideas are present.

Shows a basic understanding of the relevant ideas or

processes. The concepts, evidence, arguments, and methods are simple, but appropriate. Few minor

misunderstandings exist, which are easily clarified.

Shows a significant understanding of the

relevant ideas or processes. The concepts, evidence,

arguments, and methods are comprehensive, with no

misunderstandings or overly simplistic approaches.

Shows a profound understanding of the relevant ideas or processes. The concepts, evidence, arguments, and

methods are sophisticated, going well beyond the grasp of the subject

typically found.

Understanding65%

BeginnerApprenticePractitionerExpert

Qu

alit

y of

Un

der

stan

din

g

Pause for Reflection

Future PathwaysTeaching and Learning Laboratory

A Year of Evolution• Continued identification, study, &

implementation of 21st Century best practices in teaching and learning

• Build community, business, and college partnerships

• Promote the immersion of upcoming and practicing teachers in research-based education

Conference Resourcesavailable at

http://fpconferenceinfo.wikispaces.com/

• Select Future Pathways Model Resources• IAAE PowerPoint• Research Base/Recommended Readings• Student Orientation Podcast• Recommended Websites for Students