Boost Non-traditional Enrollment: The Ohio STEM Equity Pipeline Project 1

2 If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. ~Jim Rohn

Agenda Relevance and importance of increasing access to STEM Fields STEM Equity Pipeline Model research-based model Resources that can help 3

Relevance of this subject and project Unprecedented growth in STEM initiatives Urgency and opportunity for economic development in Ohio 4

Relevance continued Remaining gaps in educational completion at the certificate, associates, and bachelors degree levels Breakthrough models are those with clear career pathways and “career architecture” 5

Now and in the Future…. Current shortage of 1 million construction and engineering industry personnel, – Projected shortfall of 5 million workers by Current and near future concerns as to technical skill sets: – Life cycle costing, – Facilities, operations and management, – GPS/GIS – building integration management (BIM) 6

A research- based model that works! 7

8 When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor Frankl

Ohio STEM Equity Pipeline Project National Science Foundation (NSF) grant-funded project through the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) 9

Purpose of the Project ▫ Increase access, participation, degree completion, and job placement for women in STEM fields ▫ Particular emphasis on affecting Perkins Nontraditional measures for secondary and postsecondary students 10

Ohio Vision Statement 11 Vision Statement The Ohio STEM Equity Pipeline Project will systematically increase participation of underrepresented citizens in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers.

Ohio Mission Statement The mission of this project is to use a research-based model to collaboratively and systematically increase the participation, educational completion and career placement of girls and women, and other underrepresented citizens, in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields in the state of Ohio. 12

13 STEP 5 Implement Solutions STEP 4 Pilot Test and Evaluate Best Solutions STEP 3 Choose Best Solutions STEP 2 Identify Root Causes The Five Step Process

Step #1 Document Performance Results Assess current and past student performance – By school and college – By program area – By population groups 14

Step #1 Document Performance Results Assist you – Documenting – Understanding performance results – Help identify areas of improvement 15

Step #1 Worksheet Document Performance Results Identify a program/area you think you would like to focus on having low enrollment, but there is a need Identify resources you would use in order to obtain data to verify – Low enrollment – There is a need 16

17 Target ProgramsProgram ContactPartners Step 1: Document Performance Results

18 STEP 1 Document Performance Results STEP 5 Implement Solutions STEP 4 Pilot Test and Evaluate Best Solutions STEP 3 Choose Best Solutions The Five Step Process

Step #2 Identify Root Causes Designed to address the why questions 19

Search for Root Causes Systematic Process 1.Identifies all potential causes 2.Determine whether causes within your control are direct or indirect 3.Select the most critical to target for improvement efforts 20

Review Research Summary “Nontraditional Career Preparation: Root Causes and Strategies” Authors: – Lynn Reha, ICSPS; – Mimi Lufkin, NAPE; – Laurie Harrison, Foothill Associates 21

Root Cause - Education Academic proficiency Access to and participation in Math, Science and Technology Curriculum Instructional strategies School/classroom climate Support Services 22

Root Cause – Career Information Materials, practices, marketing and recruitment Early intervention Characteristics of an occupation/Wage potential (Careers that give back to the community can attract both females and males) 23

Root Cause - Family Characteristics and engagement of family of origin have a strong influence on career choice 24

Root Cause – Internal/Individual Self-efficacy Attribution Stereotype threat 25

Root Cause – Societal Issues Media (negative/positive) Peers Role Models/Mentoring Collaboration (between educational and community organizations key) 26

Phases of Step #2 Phase 1: Identify Potential Causes Phase 2: Analyze and Evaluate Potential Causes Phase 3: Organize Your Theory and Select the Most Critical Root Causes 27

Step #2 Worksheet Identify Root Causes Develop your own root cause theory – What barriers do you think the students are facing – What action research method would you use to validate this theory? – Who would you engage in your research method? 28

29 Education Root Cause Evidence  Academic Proficiency  Access to and Participation in Math, Science and Technology  Curriculum  Instructional Strategies  School/Classroom Climate  Support Services

30 STEP 1 Document Performance Results STEP 5 Implement Solutions STEP 4 Pilot Test and Evaluate Best Solutions STEP 2 Identify Root Causes The Five Step Process

Step #3 Choose Best Solutions Identify and select the solutions that seem most promising for testing and evaluation 31

Choose Best Solutions Don’t be too quick to adopt best practices before getting the facts straight 32

Questions to Ask How do you identify possible strategies and model practices? How do you evaluate strategies and models? How do you compare and assess alternative solutions and make a decision? 33

Step #3 Worksheet Select Best Solutions Note on worksheet sites for “best practices” 34

35 GOAL: Benchmark/Strategy /Activity to Increase Participation or Completion Tasks to Accomplish Benchmark Person(s) Responsible TimelineEvaluation Plan Process Measures Outcome Measures 1.1 Benchmark, strategy or activity planned 1.1 task oneName Completion Date Enter measures Enter Measures 1.2 task two

36 I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty. ~John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

37 STEP 1 Document Performance Results STEP 5 Implement Solutions STEP 3 Choose Best Solutions STEP 2 Identify Root Causes The Five Step Process

38 Step #4 Create an Evaluation Plan

Why Evaluate? Make sure your improvement strategy works somewhere before you attempt to apply it everywhere. 39

Formative Evaluation Process measures How well was the program implemented “The cook tasting the soup” 40

Summative Evaluation Outcomes Measures – Did the program produce the desired results? – “The guests taste the soup” 41

Set Realistic Goals Broad statements of what you want to accomplish The main single aim Not strictly measurable or tangible Long term The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed 42

Write SMART Objectives Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-limited 43

Ohio State Team Goals Increase public awareness and create opportunities for girls and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Increase participation of girls and women in non-traditional STEM fields (as identified by 25% or fewer of that gender represented in the workforce). (1 & 2 of 6) 44

Ohio State Team Goals Increase persistence, retention and completion of girls and women in STEM programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels. Increase job placement of females into STEM careers in Ohio. (3 & 4 of 6) 45

Ohio State Team Goals Increase participation, certificate and degree completion, and job placement in STEM fields for other underrepresented groups. Collaborate with and engage key stakeholders in improving opportunities for STEM. (5 & 6 of 6) 46

Step #4 Worksheet Create an Evaluation Plan Make sure your improvement strategy works somewhere before you attempt to apply it everywhere…. 47

48 GOAL: Benchmark/Strategy /Activity to Increase Participation or Completion Tasks to Accomplish Benchmark Person(s) Responsible TimelineEvaluation Plan Process Measures Outcome Measures 1.1 Benchmark, strategy or activity planned 1.1 task oneName Completion Date Enter measures Enter Measures 1.2 task two

49 STEP 1 Document Performance Results STEP 4 Pilot Test and Evaluate Best Solutions STEP 3 Choose Best Solutions STEP 2 Identify Root Causes The Five Step Process

Step #5 Implement Solutions Don’t say you’ve solved the problem until you’ve fully implemented solutions and achieved results! 50

51 Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. ~Theodore Roosevelt