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Meeting Date:
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3/13/2018 - 6:30 PM
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Category:
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ITEMS OF BUSINESS
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Type:
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Info
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Subject:
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8. Report with Possible Action on GE Grant Report
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Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
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Goal 2 Student, Family and Community Engagement
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Attachments
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GE Report
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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In 2011, the GE Foundation awarded $20.4 million to the Milwaukee Public Schools. MPS partners included GE Healthcare and the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association. The grant began as a math and science professional development for teachers. Then it transitioned to support a cohort of elementary schools focused on math and literacy improvement through the implementation of the Common Core State Standards.
As the grant has progressed through its final phase, the K–8 program has sun-setted, and focus has shifted to college and career readiness and STEM. In fall 2017, college and career centers were established in 20 of the traditional high schools, six supported through the grant along with internships. Additionally, GE Essential Skills was implemented as a yearlong course for one credit as part of the required courses for the competency–based alternative program. The next phase of the work is focused on STEM integration, specifically at the middle school level. This needed to become a priority with the remaining grant dollars to ensure a solid foundation for students to be successful in high school and strong launch into college and career readiness. Therefore, at the GE Steering Committee meeting held on December 14, 2017, direction was provided by the MPS superintendent, GE Foundation executive director, and GE Healthcare senior executive to work collaboratively on creating and implementing a comprehensive STEM plan to ensure that students are engaged in high-quality, culturally-relevant, interdisciplinary STEM learning experiences for today and beyond.
As a result, as early as January 2018, MPS has embarked on a STEM pilot involving the seven traditional middle schools and four K–8 schools in the district to develop a professional learning community that facilitates the exploration of interdisciplinary approaches and exemplary student-led projects, including the integration of science, math, technology, and engineering practices in schools using project-based learning. There are 11 MPS schools participating.
In January 2018, Dr. Salvador Fernandez, founder and CEO of STEM Happens Network, and the executive director of the GE Foundation, along with the MPS STEM work group, began a listening tour that included visiting schools, meeting with the principals and teachers, and visiting classrooms for observational baseline data.
A vision and mission statement was created with the MPS STEM work group that included metrics to ensure fidelity of implementation. The STEM Happens Network provided consultation, guidance, tools, and resources so that each school leadership team, in collaboration with the MPS STEM work group, created individualized and tailored STEM action plans that honored the existing work and programs in each school. The next phase includes differentiated professional development (March 3, April 14, and May 19), side-by-side coaching, leveraging train-the-trainer model (STEM Happens Network with MPS STEM work group) and creating integrated STEM unit lesson plans based on disciplinary literacy and ongoing integrated STEM support. This is an exciting opportunity in partnership with the GE Foundation to close the equity gap, innovate, and make MPS a national educational leader in STEM integration.
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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This item does not authorize expenditures.
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Implementation and Assessment Plan
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Recommendation:
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Jan L. Haven - Director
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Signed By:
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Ruth Maegli - Chief Academic Officer
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Signed By:
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Dr. Darienne Driver - Superintendent
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