Computing Leadership Summit STEM Education Steve Robinson U.S. Department of Education White House Domestic Policy Council February 22, 2010

STEM

President Obama, at the National Academies President addressed the National Academies last April on THE NECESSITY OF SCIENCE.

President Obama, at the National Academies President addressed the National Academies last April on THE NECESSITY OF SCIENCE. The President set a goal : American students will move from the middle to the top of the pack over the next decade.

President Obama, at the National Academies President addressed the National Academies last April on THE NECESSITY OF SCIENCE. The President set a goal : American students will move from the middle to the top of the pack over the next decade. Science The United States ranks 21st of 30 OECD countries in science literacy. One quarter of U.S. fifteen-year-olds do not reach the baseline level of science competence.

President Obama, at the National Academies President addressed the National Academies last April on THE NECESSITY OF SCIENCE. The President set a goal : American students will move from the middle to the top of the pack over the next decade. Math The United States ranks 25th of 30 OECD countries in math literacy. Over one quarter of American fifteen-year-olds performed below the baseline level of mathematics competence.

President Obama, at the National Academies President addressed the National Academies last April on THE NECESSITY OF SCIENCE. The President set a goal : American students will move from the middle to the top of the pack over the next decade. NAEP Math average scores for 4 th and 8 th graders:

President Obama, at the National Academies President addressed the National Academies last April on THE NECESSITY OF SCIENCE. The President set a goal : American students will move from the middle to the top of the pack over the next decade. The President HAS CALLED ALL OF US TO DO OUR PARTS in this task.

President Obama, at the National Academies President addressed the National Academies last April on THE NECESSITY OF SCIENCE. The President set a goal : American students will move from the middle to the top of the pack over the next decade The President HAS CALLED ALL OF US TO DO OUR PARTS in this task. “ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO CREATE AND BUILD AND INVENT - TO BE MAKERS OF THINGS, NOT JUST CONSUMERS OF THINGS ”.

So…..

At the Department of Education….

Race to the Top

The Race to the Top fund is the “moon shot” of education reform. The $4.35 billion in the Race to the Top fund is a bigger pot of discretionary money for K-12 reform than all eight previous Secretaries of Education had combined during the department’s previous 28 years.

Race to the Top The Race to the Top fund is the “moon shot” of education reform. The $4.35 billion in the Race to the Top fund is a bigger discretionary fund for K-12 reform than all eight previous Secretaries of Education had combined during the department’s previous 28 years.

Race to the Top The RTT guidelines specify reforms and commitments across the four key areas.

Four Areas of Reform 1.Rigorous standards and assessments 2.Effective teachers and school leaders 3.Data systems. 4.Turning around low-performing schools.

Race to the Top Competitive Preference Priority An application that meets this priority may be favored over an application of comparable merit that does not.

Race to the Top Competitive Preference Priority An application that meets this priority may be favored over an application of comparable merit that does not. Emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Race to the Top Emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Proposed Priority 2: Competitive Preference Priority--Emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) To meet this priority, the State's application must describe plans to address the need to (i) offer a rigorous course of study in mathematics, sciences, technology, and engineering; (ii) cooperate with industry experts, museums, universities, research centers, or other STEM-capable community partners to prepare and assist teachers in integrating STEM content across grades and disciplines, in promoting effective and relevant instruction, and in offering applied learning opportunities for students; and (iii) prepare more students for advanced study and careers in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including addressing the needs of underrepresented groups and of women and girls in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Investing in Innovation Fund

30 i3 “Development” “Validation” “Scale-up” Types of Awards Available Under i3 Estimated Funding Available Up to $5MM/awardUp to $30MM/awardUp to $50MM/award Evidence Required Reasonable – research- based findings or theories Moderate – either high internal validity and medium external validity, or vice versa Strong – both high internal validity and high external validity Scaling Required Able to further develop and scale Able to be scaled to the regional or state level Able to be scaled to the national, regional, or state level Note: These slides are intended as guidance only. Please refer to the official Notice in the Federal Register.

31 Proposed i3 Eligibility Criteria and Grant Requirements Eligible Organizations (Based on historical success closing achievement gaps and improving academic achievement) LEAs Non-profits, in partnership with LEAs or a consortium of schools Eligible Organizations (Based on historical success closing achievement gaps and improving academic achievement) LEAs Non-profits, in partnership with LEAs or a consortium of schools MUST Demonstrate 20% private sector matching funding Conduct an independent program evaluation Cooperate with technical assistance Share broadly the results of any evaluations An applicant may not submit an application for the same proposed project under more than one type of grant Demonstrate 20% private sector matching funding Conduct an independent program evaluation Cooperate with technical assistance Share broadly the results of any evaluations An applicant may not submit an application for the same proposed project under more than one type of grant Note: These slides are intended as guidance only. Please refer to the official Notice in the Federal Register.

32 Improve Achievement for High-Need Students Support Effective Teachers and School Leaders Improve the Use of Data Complement the Implementation of High Standards and High-Quality Assessments Turn Around Persistently Low- Performing Schools, Whole- School Reform, and Targeted Approaches to Reform Improve Early Learning Outcomes Support College Access and Success Address the Unique Learning Needs of Students with Disabilities and Limited English Proficient Students Serve Schools in Rural LEAs Proposed i3 Priorities Note: These slides are intended as guidance only. Please refer to the official Notice in the Federal Register. Required for all applications Must address one (Absolute Priority) May address one or more (Competitive Preference)

Educational Technology

Computer Science?

It Changes the World…

Where does CS fit? Math? Science? Engineering? Technology? 21st Century Skills? Who teaches it? Do standards exist? Who uses them?

Computational Thinking?