110 likes | 249 Views
Student-Centered Learning in New Hampshire Presentation to the House Education Committee May 1, 2013. Board of Directors Sheila T. Francoeur, Chair David Alukonis William H. Dunlap Eric Herr Dianne Mercier Richard Ober James Putnam Stephen J. Reno Stuart V. Smith, Jr. Donna Sytek
E N D
Student-Centered Learningin New HampshirePresentation to the House Education Committee May 1, 2013 Board of Directors Sheila T. Francoeur, Chair David Alukonis William H. Dunlap Eric Herr Dianne Mercier Richard Ober James Putnam Stephen J. Reno Stuart V. Smith, Jr. Donna Sytek Brian F. Walsh Michael Whitney Martin L. Gross, Chair Emeritus Todd I. Selig Kimon S. Zachos Directors Emeritus “…to raise new ideas and improve policy debates through quality information and analysis on issues shaping New Hampshire’s future.”
What do we mean by “student-centered”? • Students choice gets priority • Team-learning & problem-solving are foundation of learning • Mastery of skills/concepts is benchmark for promotion, not “seat-time” • Performance-based assessments (portfolios, research, experiments) are common • Non-traditional settings are encouraged
Why? The case for change • Global competition is eroding America’s (and NH’s) advantage in the competition for skilled workers • Standardized-test model distracts from acquisition of key analytic, non-routine skills • Student disengagement is serious problem • How to build towards “college & career readiness”?
Some history • 2005: NH Board of Education adopts “competency” as benchmark for student achievement • 2007: NH high school dropout age raised to 18 • 2008: NH begins offering “Extended Learning Opportunities” through pilot program • 2012: NH applies for federal waiver from No Child Left Behind
Who’s doing it in NH? • Many districts, actually • Pittsfield Middle-High School • I3 New England Network Schools • Nashua N&S, Nute, Laconia, Manchester West, Raymond, Pittsfield, Kearsarge, Newfound • Extended Learning Opportunities at many high schools • Performance Assessment Network
Challenges • How to ensure rigor is equal across districts and disciplines? • What are specific challenges for rural districts? • How to track success of these efforts in improving long-term student outcomes? • How to guarantee sustained resources to support these efforts?
Adequacy • Is the system we are funding the same as the one we are designing through policy? • Current adequacy formula is based primarily on staffing ratios. • Do job descriptions match the goals of policy initiatives? • Should there be financial incentives to boost district participation in student-centered initiatives?
Data systems • Two goals: • Align “competency” participation with rest of data collections (short-term) • Align high-school outcomes with post-secondary outcomes (long-term) • What are good measures? • Test scores, graduation rates, college enrollment, college persistence, workforce success?
Funding & sustainability • Outside sources have supported much of this work to date • What is long-term sustainability model, and does it call for greater private/non-profit sector interaction? • Should state funding be used as “incentive” to greater district-level innovation?
New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies Board of Directors Sheila T. Francoeur, Chair David Alukonis William H. Dunlap Eric Herr Dianne Mercier Richard Ober James Putnam Stephen J. Reno Stuart V. Smith, Jr. Donna Sytek Brian F. Walsh Michael Whitney Martin L. Gross, Chair Emeritus Todd I. Selig Kimon S. Zachos Directors Emeritus Want to learn more? • Online: nhpolicy.org • Facebook: facebook.com/nhpolicy • Twitter: @nhpublicpolicy • Our blog: policyblognh.org • (603) 226-2500 “…to raise new ideas and improve policy debates through quality information and analysis on issues shaping New Hampshire’s future.”