Strategy 2 Deep Dive

1. Strategy 2 Deep Dive IMSA Board of Trustees Meeting November 17, 2010

2. 1 Strategy 2: We will require students to pursue personalized plans of study, based on integrated learning experiences and assessed on the basis of individual mastery.

3. Four Themes in Strategy 2 • CORE • Beyond the CORE • Personalized Learning Plans • Senior Year Experience 2

4. CORE • Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment at IMSA document shared with Board in Jan. 2010 contains CORE as identified in 2009-10 academic year • Dynamic document – will continue to be reviewed with focus on Standards of Significant Learning and outcomes 3

5. CORE – Supporting Students Strategies to support students toward individual mastery: • Existing support strategies generated by faculty • Strategies will be monitored, modified as necessary and expanded • Strategies will be coordinated with other support networks 4

6. Beyond the CORE • Recognize non-traditional learning experiences • Need to credit work outside of IMSA? • Draft policy statement – ready this year or early next year 5

7. Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs) • What are they? • Three-year plan • Document academic and personal goals • Develop, monitor and revise pathway toward achievement of goals • Why have them? • Engage students in process to know self • Take ultimate and purposeful advantage of opportunities that IMSA provides 6

8. How IMSA is “Personal”ized: RELATIONSHIPS… • Resident counselors, college and academic counselors and teachers • Parents/guardians • Coaches, sponsors, advisors and mentors • Counselors, academic support staff, etc. • Peers • Staff advocates for students at-risk clarifying roles and connecting the dots to create a constellation of support 7

9. Building on Current Choices • Initial choices: • Students choose to apply • Proficiency testing in World Languages • Placement testing in math and science • World Language choice and Fine Arts electives • Choices in academic program: • Course selection process as Juniors and Seniors • Student Inquiry and Research • Independent Study • In-class embedded choices about topics and projects • Intersession • Acceleration through CORE • Additional choices: • Athletics and co-curricular activities • Campus activities and Student Council chartered clubs • Service Learning venues • TALENT (Total Applied Learning for Entrepreneurs) • CoolHub.IMSA projects 8

10. Moving Forward on PLPs • Next year – all sophomores and/or rising juniors will have a plan • Creating a system of support to guide students through plans • Many action steps in Strategy 2 plans need review: purpose, effectiveness, and collective value vs. cost • Every student needs to have a PLP; not every student needs an advisor as outlined in Strategy 2 9

11. Senior Year Experience • Strategy 2 is less clear on the purpose of this. • What are the best venues for students to share constructivism of knowledge new to them, interdisciplinary understanding, and reflection on growth? • What are we seeking to demonstrate that is not already demonstrated through course work, SIR and other learning experiences? • Any product must be meaningful and manageable to assess. 10

12. Example 1 Annie is an example of a student who needs an advisor to succeed. 11

13. Example 2 Daniel is an example of student who does not need an advisor. 12