SVHS DRAGON PATHWAYS

♦  Parent Information Night ♦  March 29th, 2012

Engineering, Design and Technology

Goals for tonight…

§  Review the rationale and process of selection for initial Linked Learning Pathway

§  Introduce the Engineering, Design, and Technology Pathway

§  Discuss advantages for students who enroll

§  Answer questions

Rationale – the BIG Picture view

The Seven Survival Skills for Careers, College, And Citizenship

§  Problem-solvers §  Team-players §  Adaptable to situations §  Self-starters §  Good communicators (oral and written) §  Skilled in technology §  Possessing curiosity and imagination

Moving from a 20th Century Learning System

§ Getting the right answers § Learners working alone & in competition § Taught by isolated content experts through memorization/recall § Assessed mainly by multiple choice, computer scored tests

To a 21st Century Learning System for ALL Students

§ Figuring out the right question/problem to be solved § Learners working in teams § Motivated more by pride in mastery and making a contribution § Taught by teamed coaches through inquiry, exploration/discovery—hands on work § Assessed through performance as well as tests

The Local View

How we arrived at today:

Many years: Robust selection of CTE courses at SHVS

2008-09: Site visits to 13 high schools doing innovative programs

2009-11: Preparation for 9th grade Design teams (2 years)

Spring, 2011: SVUSD Board approved a-g for all students

Community Meeting to introduce LL Pathways

Fall, 2011: Freshman teams implemented

This fall…

§  Engaged ConnectEd and secured funding (Vadasz Family Foundation, James Irvine Foundation)

§  Visited Porterville, Antioch, San Diego and Roseville

pathway programs

§  Began assessment phase at SVHS §  Presented LL overview to staff; reported on Porterville §  Began conversations about which industry sectors

might align with LL Pathways §  Created prep period meetings for small group

conversations

§  Created the Community Planning Council

This spring

§  Conducted campus tours of CTE for staff and Community Planning Council

§  Administered 9th grade student interest surveys §  Reviewed employment projections for industry sectors §  Developed pathway application process and reviewed faculty

applications

§  Identified initial Linked Learning Pathway centered on Engineering, Design and Technology

§  Began planning process for Fall 2012 implementation

Extending 9th Grade Team Success

¨  Overall grades

¨  Science

¨  Increase of 15% in A’s, B’s, and C’s

¨  Identical percentage of A’s, B’s, and C’s with ALL students in college prep courses (last year only half 9th graders received college prep credit – 160/318)

Extending 9th Grade Team Success

¨  Algebra 1

¨  Discipline

¨  Increase of 19% in A’s, B’s, and C’s while ALL freshmen enrolled in college prep math (last year 51 out of 318 took Algebra Readiness)

¨  Classroom referrals decreased by 39%

Why Linked Learning?

Linked Learning: Guiding Principles

§  Prepare students for both college and career

§  Lead to the full range of postsecondary options

§  Connect core academics to real-world applications

§  Improve and support student achievement like our 9th grade teams have done

Linked Learning Components

A comprehensive program of study: §  A college-prep academic core emphasizing real world

applications §  A technical core of three or more courses meeting

industry standards; providing certification §  Work-based learning §  Support services—supplementary instruction,

counseling, and transportation Results: college and career ready

What Linked Learning is NOT

§  A program that forces 9th graders to choose a career

§  A system we must follow without adjustments

§  An easier path to graduation for students

§  Only for students who don’t plan on college §  Only for students who do plan on college

Why focus on Engineering?

§  It’s a growing field with many specializations §  There is broad community appeal §  Many work-based learning opportunities are

available §  We have strong Elective courses at SVHS that could

support the pathway §  It offers rigor + hands-on opportunities in

coursework §  It brings a math and science emphasis

How will it work?

Programs of Study §  Academic Core §  Technical Core §  Work-Based Learning Activities §  Support Services §  Integrated Curriculum

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

English English 1 English 2 English 3 English 4

Math Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2 Math 4

Science Earth Science Biology Chemistry

History Geography World History

American History

Government & Economics

For. Lang Spanish/French Spanish/French

Spanish/French

Spanish/French

Technical Intro to Engineering & Design

Computer Aided Design Studio

Other Phys. Ed. Phys. Ed. Elements of Design Internship

A to G Credits = 18

Engineering, Design and Technology: A Sample Pathway

Also  meets  UC/CSU  elec.ve  requirement  

Meets  UC/CSU  visual  arts  requirement  

What about Electives?

Students in this pathway are ELECTING to focus on engineering, design and technology in a deliberate and integrated way.

Participation in other electives will be supported as much as is possible.

Is It Worth It? The Evidence— Students in Pathways…

§  Pass the California High School Exit Exam at higher rates

§  Are more likely to score proficient or higher on California Standardized Tests in English, science, and social studies

§  Are more likely to complete minimum “a to g” requirements

§  Are less likely to drop out and more likely to complete high school

§  Attend postsecondary at higher rates §  Earn as much as $2,500 more annually in the

eight years after high school graduation

To Summarize…

§  Linked Learning can provide coherent, integrated, experiential learning opportunities for students

§  We want skill sets that are transferable across industry sectors

§  We want to incorporate the strengths of SVHS

§  But, this Pathway will prepare students for 21st century options not for a single career.

And…

§  Linked Learning will build upon the successes of the Freshmen Teams: §  Dedicated team of academic and technical teachers §  Cohort scheduling §  Postsecondary articulation §  Active, engaged Advisory Board

Next-steps

§  Talk with your student

§  Indicate interest on the Sophomore Scheduling sheet

§  Select students for inaugural Dragon Pathway

§  Continue planning time and professional development for pathway teachers

Questions?

Thank you for coming tonight!