1 District Science Plan Dr. Todd Ullah, Director, Secondary Science Dr. Thomas Yee, Coordinator, Secondary Science Dr. Myrna Estrada, Secondary Science Expert Small Learning Community Winter Institute Small Learning Community Winter Institute University of Southern California Date 2/27/08

2 Building Capacity in Science Science Branch Staff (9) Science Experts in each Local District (16) Science Lead Teachers (SLT) at each school at each grade level (750) Science Centers and Staff (12) University, Museum, and Business Partnerships (CSULA, CSUDH, SCALE, UCLA, Its About Time, California Science Center)

3 Secondary Science LD Five major areas of responsibility: Integrated Coordinated Science (ICS) Science Lead Teacher Professional Development Textbook Publisher PD (7-year plan) Science Immersion Units (Biology) Continuing Professional development: Use of instructional guides and periodic assessments Use of instructional guides and periodic assessments Use protocols for data and item analysis to inform practice during banked time and teacher workgroup meetings Use protocols for data and item analysis to inform practice during banked time and teacher workgroup meetings Use of protocols for looking student work during banked time and teacher workgroup meetings Use of protocols for looking student work during banked time and teacher workgroup meetings Use of instructional technology Use of instructional technology

4 Secondary Science Central Science areas of responsibility Pilots Alternative Chemistry Program (Active Chem) Alternative Chemistry Program (Active Chem) HS Biology Model Lesson HS Biology Model Lesson Agile Mind (Biology) Agile Mind (Biology) Achievement Solutions Achievement Solutions

5 Secondary Science Science Instructional Priorities Science Instructional Priorities Making Science Accessible to EL, SEL, and students with disabilities Making Science Accessible to EL, SEL, and students with disabilities Science Content Standards--SBE Science Content Standards--SBE 5E Instructional Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) 5E Instructional Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) Five Essential Features of Inquiry Five Essential Features of Inquiry Using Data to Inform Instruction Using Data to Inform Instruction Looking at Student Work (Critical Collaboration) Looking at Student Work (Critical Collaboration)

6 ELs’ and Science Access

7 Collaborative Work Session Purpose: To engage in a conversation to… 1.Share the implemented vision(s) of your SLC 2.Cite ways that deepen instruction in your science-themed SLC

8 Collaborative Activities Quickwrite (1 min.) What instructional challenges are faced by your science-themed SLC in your effort to deepen instruction? Share your thoughts within your table group (5 min.) Author a Focus Question… (9 min.) (9 min.) that succinctly captures an important instructional challenge faced by science-themed SLCs reached by consensus within your table group write on chart paper and post Share your focus question with the whole group (5 min.)

9 Collaborative Activities (cont’d) “Adopt” a Focus Question… (25 min.) either authored by a table group or others provided either authored by a table group or others provided brainstorm potential solutions brainstorm potential solutions write potential solutions on chart paper write potential solutions on chart paper post for whole group sharing post for whole group sharing Table Groups Share with Whole Group… (25 min.) Each table group will: restate their “adopted” focus question share potential solutions with the whole group Facilitators will capture focus questions and potential solutions in electronic format and distribute to teachers

10 Focus Questions How do you plan thematic units in science that are useful in other disciplines? How do you assess thematic units/content in a science- themed SLC? What common instructional strategies can SLCs use across the content areas (English, History, Math and Science) that will promote student achievement? What can SLCs do to deepen the district approved SLC attributes and improve instruction that traditional schools cannot do? How do you engage the ELs and Special Education students across the math/science-themed SLC?

11 Characteristics/Attributes of “Small Learning Communities” 1.Unifying Vision/Identity 2.Rigorous Standards-based Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment 3.Equity and Access 4.Personalization 5.Accountability and Distributed Leadership 6.Collaboration/Parent and Community Engagement 7.Professional Development