Recommendations on Prioritizing Arizona’s Education Reform Plan

ARIZONA STUDENTS PREPARED TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND CAREERS

DATAUSE

STANDARDS & ASSESSMENTS

GREAT TEACHERS

GREAT LEADERS

SUPPORTING STRUGGLING

SCHOOLS

LEADERSHIP, COHESIVENESS & FUNDING

REGIONAL CENTERS

STEM

PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY

HIGHER EDUCATION

DATA SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY

Link to Arizona’s Education Reform Plan

http://azgovernor.gov/EduReform.asp

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STEM

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American Education has lost its groove!American Education has lost its groove!

The Challenge

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Intel’sAndrew Grove

… …a new breed of companies a new breed of companies built on intellectual capital built on intellectual capital from which came new ideas from which came new ideas producing new thingsproducing new things

The Opportunity

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Reforming Science Education in America – a long conversation

Nation at Risk1983

Before It Is Too Late

2000

Splintered Vision1997

Rising Above the

Gathering Storm 2006

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Arizona Student performance in Science and Math

78% of Arizona 4th graders are not proficient in Science achievement levels78% of Arizona 8th graders are not proficient in Science achievement levels

72% of Arizona 4th graders are not proficient in Math achievement levels71% of Arizona 8th graders are not proficient in Math achievement levels

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Arizona is at the bottom of the national trend in science proficiency (NAEP)

National Center for Educational Statistics, January 2011

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College Graduation Rates in the U.S.

1- OECD iLibrary, http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/20755120-2010-table1/index.html?contentType=/ns/KeyTable,/ns/StatisticalPublication&itemId=/content/table/2075

2 – National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators, 2010, NSF

Despite a slight increase in college graduation rate from 34.4% in 2000 to 36.5% in 2007, our rate of increase has been surpassed by 13 other countries1.

The US has fallen in International Rank from 8th in 2000 to 14th in 20071

Less than one third of U.S. degrees are in STEM areas2

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College Graduation Rates in ARIZONA equally dismal

Arizona’s increase in college graduation rate was also a dismal 3% over the past 10 years2.

And fewer than 20% of these graduates were awarded STEM degrees in 2007, down

from 25% a decade ago2.

2 – National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators, 2010, NSF

3 – Brandi, C.K., Frehill, L.M., Frampton, A., STEM in the States, First Edition, Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology, November 2009.

Just 4.5% of these STEM degrees were awarded to Hispanic, African American and Native American students

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• Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) was created in 2006 as a unique 501(c)3 public/private nonprofit organization to

- strengthen the Arizona economy - provide for a good educational system- establish high quality, high paying jobs

• STEM Initiative supports the Arizona’s College and Career Readiness Objectives

• Invested in over 40 STEM Education programs, ranging from K - Post-doc, across Arizona

• All investments are decided by a national peer-reviewed, competitive basis

• Operate with an internationally known Board of Directors

• Operating funds provided by private sector

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Science Foundation Arizona

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16

1151

84

760 Scientific Publications

STEM Education Impact

Spin Off Companies

Jobs Created/Retained

Patents Filed/Issued

160,000 students, 2900 teachers

Battelle ROI Measures Impacts

* As of June 2010 from FY 07/09 21st Century State Funds

*

Leveraged $3 for each $1 awarded to Arizona universities

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Arizona Cities and Schools Impacted

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Impacts

• Testing new multidisciplinary models for STEM

EcoTech High School

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Impacts

• Moving informal STEM learning and teaching into the classroom

Gallileoscope

FIRST Robotics

ACST at B2

Wetlands Project

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Impacts

FORT HUACHUCA

• Building “pathways” to college and career readiness through STEM

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Impacts

• Expanding graduate research to include teaching and community service

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Impacts

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• Programs developed within one K-12 district have been replicated elsewhere

Star Parties

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STEM Innovation Heroes

• Ongoing, statewide program to recognize innovation by students and teachers within STEM education

• Celebrated for:– advances in STEM education and achievement– raising the importance of STEM education– inspiring others to follow in their footsteps

• Rewards– $500 gift certificate for

classroom supplies to teachers

– $1,000 EE savings bond for college to students

• Nomination forms available at www.sfaz.orgDr. Andrew Lettes, HS Chemistry Teacher

Pueblo Magnet HS, Tucson

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Research and STEM Education

Institute for Mineral Resources (IMR):

Solar Technology Institute (STI):

Aerospace Defense Initiative (ADI):

2020

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The Challenge: DisparateSTEM programs and activities

20th century schoolmodels

Teacher quality programs and initiatives

Promising practices

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The Opportunity: Align and Leverage Disconnected Efforts

20th century schoolmodels

Teacher quality programs and initiatives

Promising practices

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SFAZ: Leader and Engine ofthe Arizona STEM Network

20th century schoolmodels

Teacher quality programs and initiatives

Promising practicesSF

Az

s

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Arizona STEM Network function• Build Statewide consensus • Prioritize actions and

investments more strategically• Identify and measure what

works• Expand and replicate what

works• Leverage investments in

Arizona for program success and sustainability

• Accelerate improvements.

Reflect

Define Success

Implement

MeasureReflect

Revise

Continuous Improvement Cycle

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• Skilled workforce

• Leverage investments more broadly and strategically

• Investments are managed, evaluated and measured toward ROI

• Linkages to best practices

• Brand recognition throughout schools and communities in Arizona

Value Proposition:Business/Funders

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• Access to qualified information about programs and providers

• Ties to state and national trends that bring resources

Value Proposition:Schools

• Resource savings and leveraging

• Ability to evaluate and measure outcomes

• Fill gaps with available resources

Solar hotdogs

Biosphere 2

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• Recognition of quality work

• Connections to resources and schools

• Additional marketing

• Greater expansion potential

Value Proposition:Providers

• Sustainability of programs

• A voice for advocacy and influence at the policy level

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• Qualified workforce

• Comprehensive plan of action

• Comprehensive message

• Accomplishments – something that positively impacts perceptions of Arizona

• Improved opportunity for economic development

Value Proposition:State

Goldberg with Senator Lopez

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SFAZ: Planning Stage

20th century schoolmodels

Teacher quality programs and initiatives

Promising practices

• Developing Strategic Implementation Plan that identifies the Network priorities.

− Teacher Leader Support

− STEM Pathways

− Instructional Resources

• Developing Business plan that drives the function of the Network toward the agreed-upon Strategic Implementation Plan.

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1. What are your key community priorities for education? How are you preparing your kids for college and career readiness? What are your goals for your students?

2. How would the Governor’s office or a statewide organization such as SFAz and the STEM Network need to operate in order to help your county implement effective programs such as STEM for the long-term.

3. What are some key education programs and initiatives, related to STEM education or otherwise, occurring in your community? E.g., formal and informal, K-12, college and career readiness, business/community readiness?

Discussion Questions

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Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/SFAz-STEM-Initiative/144397262286820

Twitter:http://twitter.com/ScienceFoundAz

Website:www.sfaz.org

Links to SFAz and the STEM Network