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Challenges and Opportunities in California Schools

Challenges and Opportunities in California Schools. Melissa Gilbert Assistant Professor Mathematics Education. Dennis Smithenry Assistant Professor Science Education. When a teacher looks at any new lesson, she asks. How will this lesson address State Math or Science Content Standards?

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Challenges and Opportunities in California Schools

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  1. Challenges and Opportunities in California Schools Melissa Gilbert Assistant Professor Mathematics Education Dennis Smithenry Assistant Professor Science Education

  2. When a teacher looks at any new lesson, she asks... • How will this lesson address State Math or Science Content Standards? • What actual concepts would my students be learning from this lesson? • My curriculum is already overloaded, how much time will it take? • Will it help my students improve their performance on standardized tests? • How can I differentiate it for students with special needs (English Language Learners [ELL], identified learning disabilities, gifted)?

  3. Challenges • Overloaded Curriculum (TIMSS) • State Content Science and Mathematics Standards • National Science Education Standards/National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Principles and Standards • Diverse Student Populations • Narrow View of Science and Mathematics Learning (teaching towards the test)

  4. Standardized Tests • California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program • California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) • Academic Performance Index (API) • NCLB Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

  5. Positives in IEEE Lesson Plans • Focus on hands-on activities • Fostering collaboration skills • Place problems into real-world context • Variety of lesson topics • Motivated community of IEEE volunteers with resources

  6. Minding the Gap Teachers think of lessons in terms of “concepts” that students must learn. Engineers think of lessons in terms of interesting “activities” that introduce students to design, teamwork, and problem solving

  7. Opportunities • Impact of the IEEE lesson plans could be enhanced by: • Identifying the specific concepts being taught through the activities • Making direct connections to the concepts identified in the State Standards • Collaborating with teachers to tailor lesson plans to their students’ needs • Working side-by-side with teachers to enact lessons

  8. Opportunities • IEEE could learn more about current needs of schools by: • visiting and observing classrooms • talking with curriculum coordinators at the district level • go to local, regional, or national science or math teacher conferences • read publications by NSTA, NCTM, AMTE, or ASTE

  9. Discussion/Q & A • Form groups of four to five people • Discuss what you’ve heard and what’s on your mind (10 min.) • Develop one or two questions for us as your group • Write questions on note cards • We will attempt to answer your questions

  10. Further Questions? • Dr. Melissa Gilbert, mcgilbert@scu.edu • Dr. Dennis Smithenry, dsmithenry@scu.edu

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