1. B Biology R Realignment A and C Curriculum E Enhancement Fayette County Public Schools Toyota USA Foundation Mini Conference Friday, June 29, 2012 Georgetown, KY

2. BRACE Based on teacher needs identified by Science Department Chairs and District Administration New Science Literacy Standards ACT Biology Quality Core – End of Course Exams Real world experiences which prepare students for career and college readiness

3. Challenges Comfort with biotechnology and expensive equipment Quality Core End of Course Assessments New content and practices not taught (or known) during teacher preparation

4. Challenges Communication/collaboration beyond department, school, and district Competition - yes, it is still there Silos: “I am not an English teacher” Unease - working with IHE partners

5. Participants Biology teachers IHE partner District leadership

6. Participants Biology teachers IHE partner District leadership

7. Twenty Nine Teachers from ALL High Schools Martin Luther King Academy The Learning Center at Linlee Locust Trace AgriScience Center (hosted all meetings) Bryan Station High School Henry Clay High School Lafayette High School Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School Tates Creek High School

8. IHE Partner Dr Robin Cooper, Professor of Biology, University of Kentucky Created an atmosphere of higher ed and secondary ed working together for the students benefit Put teachers at ease with regard to working with higher ed Seen by participants as an approachable resource

9. District Presenters Mr David Helm Science Resource Specialist, Fayette County Public Schools Ms Heidi Anderson NBCT Science Teacher, Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School Dr Scott Diamond, Science Teacher, The Learning Center at Linlee

10. Goals Teachers learn biotechnology-related content and techniques they weren’t taught in “teacher school” Teachers work with teachers from other schools in the district Teachers make connections between literacy and science education Teachers believe ALL students can “do” biotech

11. BRACE Meetings 5 Release Days Collaboration with IHE Partner Teachers as presenters LOTS of work, activity, and discussion

12. Collaboration District and school personnel collaborated with the IHE in: Planning Training Content Resource Facilitation Positive Attitude

13. The BRACE Agenda Day 1: Meeting the Challenge of the Quality Core – GAP Analysis and Sequence Day 2: Science Literacy and the Common Core – LDC Argumentative Piece Day 3: Formative Assessment, Targets for the Quality Core and LDC Argumentative pieces Day 4: Intro to Biotech – gel electrophoresis and genetics Day 5: Biotech Day 2 – rapid colony transformations, PCR, genetic engineering

14. Accomplishments All biology teachers trained in biotech methods Enhanced biological science content knowledge Developed comfortable relationships with IHE

15. Accomplishments All biology teachers trained in biotech methods Enhanced biological science content knowledge Developed comfortable relationships with IHE

16. Accomplishments Each school has 1 LDC argumentative task read Five days of Quality Core training for biology teachers from ACT through district funding

17. Accomplishments Each school has 1 LDC argumentative task read Five days of Quality Core training for biology teachers from ACT through district funding

18. Teacher Response Anecdotal data indicates a positive response from teachers – when they ask if you can do it again, you are doing the right things! “Can we do this again next year?” “I started this thinking it would be a waste of time away from my kids – boy was I wrong!” “Dr. Cooper from UK is just awesome!”

19. Teacher Response Anecdotal data, continued: “I really enjoyed getting to work with teachers from other schools.” “Before this I wouldn’t have ever thought of doing these things with my kids” “How do I reserve the materials?” “I didn’t realize what great resources we have in the district (people and materials)”

20. Further Evaluation Comparison of EOC results between FCPS and the State will be made to look for positive differences Use of the new biotech materials will be monitored – request are already coming in Increased use of literacy tools through LDC

21. What Next? Initial planning in place to continue working with higher ed in an effort to prepare our students to be career and college ready: Content Academies Content Resource

22. What Next? Funds allocated to continue LDC training for ALL Biology teachers next year 4 release days 2 stipend day Content Academies are being scheduled for additional training sessions after school Continued District support for Quality Core

23. Thank You! QUESTIONS???