Culturally Relevant Inspiration Asia Walters EDU 692 Creativity, Culture, and Global Contexts in Education Decision-Making Instr. Dr. Sara Mattson June 13, 2016

Culturally Relevant Inspiration  I used the The 21st Century Learning Exemplar List of school to determine what schools or school districts I wanted to learn more about.  Muscatine Community School District  Lancaster High School’s Academy of Finance  Des Moines North High School

Muscatine Community School District  A link to the school or program : Muscatine Community School District, IowaMuscatine Community School District, Iowa  Muscatine Community School District Slide Show Muscatine Community School District Slide Show  A summary of why the school or program is innovative and/or unique Muscatine is unique because in 2008, they faced two big challenges. 70% of there students were graduating and students’ test scores and achievements in early grades were not high. It was doubt that the students were going to be successful in secondary school. After trying different strategies, they decided to go with competency- based education. Since then, the district graduation rate 85% (P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning, 2016).

Muscatine Community School District  The location and general demographic information about the students  Muscatine Community School District 2900 Mulberry Ave., Muscatine, IA School Year  66% Caucasion, 25% Hispanic, 4% African American and 5% Other  54% District students receive free or reduced lunch  Graduation rate for the class of 2014 was about 82%  6% are ELL with 17 different languages spoken throughout the district (Muscatine Community School District Demographics, 2016)

Muscatine Community School District  An analysis of the 21st century skills supported by the school or program  Collaboration  Creativity  Critical Thinking  Problem Solving  Descriptions of how the learning experiences reflect culturally relevant pedagogy Muscatine established a Global Generation program. It’s an academic system that align traditional standards with the 21 st Century Skills to meet the changing 21 st Century economy. This curriculum prepares students for post- secondary education and provides tools needed to excel in global society that demands critical thinking and communication skills. The students are expected to develop real-life competences and do so as they serve as “project managers” for academic endeavors (P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning, 2016).

Muscatine Community School District  Description of how the school and/or program promotes creativity in the classroom Muscatine competency-based approach allows students to work toward expertise at their own pace. They use five-point thinking and learning rubric to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and to identify strategies for growth. The students are encouraged by their teachers to do their best (P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning, 2016).

Lancaster High School’s Academy of Finance  A link to the school or program: Lancaster High School's Academy of FinanceLancaster High School's Academy of Finance  Lancaster High School's Academy of Finance Slide Show Lancaster High School's Academy of Finance Slide Show  A summary of why the school or program is innovative and/or unique Academy of Finance has been named 1 of the 16 distinguished NAF academics nationwide for the achievements of educators and students. This academy offers paid summer internships and has a student operated bank branch. Students receives a project-based and hands-on introduction to the skills and knowledge needed for the finance industry and build 21 st century competencies valuable to any higher education or career path (P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning, 2016).

Lancaster High School’s Academy of Finance  The location and general demographic information about the students  According to P21 Exemplar Case Studies, Lancaster High School is located in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York.  Lancaster High School serves 1,937 students in grades  Minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the state average of 54%.  The student population of 1937 students has stayed relatively flat over five years (Public School Review, 2016).  An analysis of the 21st century skills supported by the school or program (P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning, 2016)  Technology  Creativity  Collaboration  Critical Thinking

Lancaster High School’s Academy of Finance  Descriptions of how the learning experiences reflect culturally relevant pedagogy According to Wardle, an effective way to work closely with the students' community is to invite volunteers from the community to contribute their funds of knowledge directly to classroom and school events. Not only do Academy bring the community in the classroom they also allow the students to go out in the community to build relationships with other business owners.  Description of how the school and/or program promotes creativity in the classroom The program allows students to participate in job shadowing, mock interviews competition, volunteer opportunities, and paid and unpaid internships with local business and in the classroom. Students visit freshman classrooms to talk about financial literacy (P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning, 2016). All of these opportunities are very creative because a lot of schools do not offer such great opportunity. These students are able to collaborate with other businesses and try out new things to get them better prepared for the real world (P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning, 2016).

Des Moines North High School  A link to the school or program: Des Moines North High SchoolDes Moines North High School  Des Moines North High School Slide Show Des Moines North High School Slide Show  A summary of why the school or program is innovative and/or unique  Des Moines North High school is a turn around school. It is one of the most diverse schools in Iowa. In 2010, North was labeled a persistently low-achieving school and successfully applied for a three-year, $3.75 million dollar federal school improvement grant. The money made it possible for the school to higher four school leaders and initiate a computing initiative (P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning, 2016).

Des Moines North High School  The location and general demographic information about the students Des Moines North High School 2323 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa  According to P21,  85% qualify for free and reduced lunch  30% Hispanic, 34% Caucasian, 1% Asian American and 11% are African American  25% are in Special Education  10% are ELL

Des Moines North High School  An analysis of the 21st century skills supported by the school or program  Collaborative projects  Technology  Communication Skills  Critical Thinking Skills  Descriptions of how the learning experiences reflect culturally relevant pedagogy The principal in 2010 created a series called “Lunch and Learn”. It is for parents, community organizations and business to help students become a productive citizens in their community. He wanted to create an environment where teachers would want to teach and students would want to learn(P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning, 2016).

Des Moines North High School  Description of how the school and/or program promotes creativity in the classroom  North educators have also used technology, including iPads, to engage students and support the development of communication skills. Teachers are using there community resources. They use the community to have intensive preparation for the students that are in the classroom and when they go out in the real (P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning, 2016)

References  Des Moines Public School. (2016). Retrieved from North High School:  Muscatine Community School District. (2016). Retrieved from Muscatine Community School District:  Muscatine Community School District Demographics. (2016). Retrieved from Demographics: content/uploads/ MCSD-Fact-Sheet-with-Links.pdf  P21 Partnership For 21st Century Learning. (2016). Retrieved from schools  Public School Review. (2016). Retrieved from Public School Review:  Wardle, F. (2013). Human relationships and learning in the multicultural environment. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Human relationships and learning in the multicultural environment