Charting Our Course Destination: Success

Changes in Education 100 years ago, factory model: sort kids and put a system in place where we will have the number of college educated students for positions. Now all students will need some kind of post high school education with the bachelor degree being the new norm

Think of their future…. “the difference between the earnings of those with at least a bachelor's degree and their peers with less education grew during this period. For example, in 1980, males with a bachelor's or higher degree earned 19 percent more than male high school completers, while in 2004 they earned 67 percent more."

Students Today Will work longer and harder with more education in order to maintain the same standard of living as their parents.

At the Elementary Level? Must have students equipped to be successful in middle and high school – not just in levels of learning, but in how best to learn Must address engagement issues since most drop outs can be identified by fifth grade.

21st Century Skills

Focus School What does it mean to you? Isn’t it just a “gimmick” ? Why can’t we just keep doing what we have always done? What does it mean to you?

Erie Elementary Community School History/Pride Relationships What are we lacking that parents are looking for? Is there a way to address the rigor and relevance? Aging Building…

Reinvent Ourselves What are others doing based upon trends in education and world economy? World Languages/World View/IB Health & Service Cluster….convert to STEM Core Knowledge Leadership/people skills/21st century skills Strengtning science, engineering & math /rigor

Technology / Literacy…. Where we were headed… We are required to embed technology and increase students technological literacy. Needed to dig deeper…

S.T.E.M. By 2014, there are expected to be 2 million jobs created in STEM-related fields (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) • Concern about America’s ability to be competitive in the global economy has led to calls to action to strengthen the pipeline into these fields (National Academy of Sciences, Committee on Science, Engineering & Public Policy, 2007; U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2006; U.S. Department of Education, 2006)

The number of engineering degrees awarded in the United States is down 20% from the peak year of 1985. (Tapping America’s Potential; www.tap2015.org) More than 50% of all engineering doctorial degrees awarded by U.S. engineering colleges are to individuals ineligible for the security clearances required for most defense industrial base jobs (Ibid)

Students need an education with a solid foundation in STEM areas in order to be prepared to both work and live in the 21st Century. Since the 1960s, the demand for skills has changed significantly : routine manual task skills have decreased, non-routine interactive task skills have increased significantly. Workforce projections for 2014 by the U.S. Department of Labor show that 15 of the 20 fastest growing occupations require significant science or mathematics training to successfully compete for a job, while surveys find that fewer students are choosing to pursue advanced study in these areas.

How much science time? There are over 100 schools nationwide specializing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but the vast majority of students are getting shortchanged in this vital area of their education. The gap is especially acute at the elementary level where 29% of K-5 teachers report that they teach science on two or fewer days a week. (State Technology Educators Association)

FAQ How is STEM Education different from the way we’ve always taught Science and Math? One word: Integrated. Traditionally, math and science are taught as separate subjects with technology often added as an afterthought. The STEM movement integrates all of these subjects and puts them at the forefront of education.

Students from STEM schools They are problem-solvers, able to frame problems as puzzles. They are innovators, with the power to pursue independent and original investigation. They are inventors, meeting the world’s needs by creatively designing and implementing solutions. They are self-reliant, able to set agendas and work within specified timeframes. They are logical thinkers, able to apply calculus-based concepts (found in 60% of all professions world-wide) and make advanced connections. They are collaborators, able to flourish in group settings.

Next Steps Gauge support of the community Present formal proposal to the district Professional development for staff (ongoing) Further definition of what it looks like at each grade level. Three year implementation plan Visit to Skyline HS – STEM program Partnerships, grants, etc.