Elise M Huggins, PhD
Portland YouthBuilders
November 3, 2011
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

Think, Pair, Share
Writing to Learn
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

YB Formed Partnership with Local Community College to
Increase rigor in Prep and Bridge Phases
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Established early in life of YB program
Robust partnership with good support/representation of:
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Campus President
Dean of Instruction and Student Development
Associate Dean of Student Development
Career and Guidance Instructor
Reading Instructor
Chair of Math Department
Chair of Humanities Department
Coordinator of PAVTEC Partnerships (dual credit)
Ongoing engagement of partners around:
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Defining postsecondary readiness standards/integration in prep phase
Designing our bridge to college program (PYB College Bound)
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

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Explicit college-going culture
 Partners build agreement that skills required for success in postsecondary education, training and work are the SAME
(academic and soft skills)
College ready curriculum and instruction
 Define the skills – what do students need to know and be able to do to be college/career ready?
Intentional use of time to maximize instruction and accelerate learning
 Map the skills across the program – when/where does program teach the skills
Personalized guidance and support
 Create systems and structures for individualized planning and support
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

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Analyzed job market
 Studied relationship in region between education and employability
Analyzed skills required (academic and soft skills)
 Looked at readiness for both postsecondary education and career entry/advancement
Held (ongoing) conversations
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Within academic departments
Across the school
With postsecondary partners
Came to consensual key decisions
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Postsecondary education is not just college-includes two/four year options, apprenticeships and credential programs
Everyone needs some postsecondary education/training
Skills required for success in college, apprenticeship and work are the SAME
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

Activity
What evidence do you have that a postsecondarygoing culture exists in your program? Where are the opportunities to deepen that culture—what information do you need? What strategies would you use?
Collaborative Group Work
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

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Explicit college going culture
 Build agreement that skills required for success in postsecondary education, training and work are the SAME (academic and soft skills)
College ready curriculum and instruction
 Define the skills – what do students need to know and be able to do?
Intentional use of time to maximize instruction and accelerate learning
 Map the skills across the program – when and where do we teach the skills
Personalized guidance and support
 Create systems and structures for individualized planning and support
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

College Ready Curriculum – what do students need to know and be able to do? When/how do we teach these skills? Partners engaged in work to:
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Identify academic standards (local) o o o
Used Portland Community College (PCC) course content and outcome guides
Also reviewed PCC course syllabi
Reviewed Apprenticeship requirements
Identify the soft skills required for success o Used Five Dimensions of Professionalism developed by PYB staff
Align academic curriculum in prep phase curricula and embedded soft skill development
Create new courses to address gaps
Review and make ongoing adjustments/modifications
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

PYB’s curriculum now reflects focus on postsecondary readiness and bundles skills within retooled courses
BEFORE
Study and Research Skills I
Study and Research Skills II
Humanities I
Humanities II
Integrated Math
College Algebra
Career and Life Skills Development I
Career and Life Skills Development II
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon
AFTER
Academic Skills
Critical Reading
Humanities I
Humanities II
Contemporary Issues
Writing Workshop
SSR
Intro to College Algebra I
Intro to College Algebra II
Career and Life Skills Development I
Career and Life Skills Development II
CG100: College Success and Survival
Intro to Apprenticeship

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Designed by teachers
Aligned with postsecondary standards (increasingly explicit)
Literacy-based
Student-centered
Integrated
Thematic
Content-rich curriculum (with embedded test prep)
Non-cognitive skill development embedded
Explicit messaging about postsecondary readiness
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

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Use Common Instructional Framework (UPCS/JFF); includes:
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Collaborative group work
Writing to learn
Literacy groups
Questioning
Scaffolding
Classroom talk
Created Culture of collaboration, reflection and professional growth; includes
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Rounds - informal classroom observations to improve instruction
Team teaching
Meetings focused on curriculum, instruction and student work
Professional development
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

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Common Instructional Framework
Writing at PYB
Write to Learn
Low-Stakes Writing-to-Learn Strategies
Examples of integrated and aligned curricular units:
Juror Bias
 Hood Phase Project
5 Dimensions of Professionalism
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

Activity
How will you create rigor and alignment in your context? What strategies will you use? Who should be involved? What barriers to you anticipate?
Collaborative Group Work
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

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The process is not linear (It is ongoing and iterative in nature)
Change requires a willingness to reflect on personal beliefs, assumptions and practices
Alignment work requires collaboration (within program and between program and PSE partner)
Work also requires school-wide commitment and buy-in
Results require shifts in resources
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon

Activity
3 things you learned
2 things you will do immediately
1 thing you are most worried about
Exit Ticket
PowerPoint presentation developed by Portland
YouthBuilder's Program, Portland Oregon