Counselor Conference
November 19, 2013
Dr. Lawrence E. Whitman
Kansas Affiliate Director, PLTW
College of Engineering
Wichita State University
Pathway to Engineering Program
Foundation Courses
• Introduction to Engineering Design
• Principles of Engineering
Specialization Courses
•
•
•
•
•
Aerospace Engineering
Biotechnical Engineering
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Digital Electronics
Capstone Course
• Engineering Design and Development
Pathway to Engineering Program
Summary of Program Requirements
• PLTW STEM Agreement – 3 courses
– IED, POE, +One
– Four courses for certification
• All PLTW courses require concurrent enrollment in
college preparatory mathematics. Concurrent
enrollment in college preparatory science is strongly
recommended.
Pathway to Engineering Program
Summary of Program Requirements
• All PLTW Pathway To Engineering courses are
designed as year-long courses on a standard 45-50
minute schedule. For schools with double period /
block scheduling, these courses can be completed in a
semester.
• Local schools will determine the PLTW sequence of
courses they will implement over a four-year period.
– It is recommended that schools offer the foundation courses
in the order previously listed (IED, POE, then DE).
– They can be offered concurrently.
– It is recommended that students take the foundation
courses prior to taking EDD.
PLTW Schools Commit to:
• Train teachers to teach PLTW courses
• Train counselors to counsel students about PLTW
courses
• Meet minimum PLTW requirements for equipment
and software for PLTW classrooms
School Certification
• The primary purpose of the certification program is
to ensure the implementation of a high-quality PLTW
program.
• Under the PLTW/School Agreement
– High schools must be re-certified every five years
– Schools must be certified in order for students to receive
college credit for PLTW courses
• Certification Process
– Self-assessment
– Site visit
– Classroom/Portfolio Review
Four or Three Courses?
•
Schools or sites electing to offer the minimum of three courses are not
eligible for certification but are still subject to quality and/or technical
assistance visits required by PLTW state leadership teams
Steps to Certification – Step 1 Meet the following requirements:
•
The school’s PLTW courses are taught by teachers who have
successfully completed PLTW Core Training sessions for each course
they are teaching.
•
The PLTW classroom equipment and software meets or exceeds PLTW
specifications as outlined in the Purchasing Manual.
•
All students enrolled in PLTW courses are also concurrently enrolled in
appropriate grade level mathematics and science courses.
•
A Partnership Team is in place that supports the program and meets on
a regular basis with a specific agenda and goals to accomplish.
•
At least one school counselor must have attended a PLTW Counselor
Conference for training.
•
An implementation and sustainability plan are in place for the
program.
Steps to Certification – Step 2 and 3
•
Step 2: Complete the Self Assessment:
– Complete the Engineering Self Assessment or Biomedical Sciences Self
Assessment and submit it to PLTW at least two months prior to the desired
site visit date.
•
Step 3: Schedule your site visit:
– Once your Self Assessment has been completed and returned to PLTW, it
will be forwarded to the appropriate state certification team. Following a
review, the state certification team will contact the school to schedule a site
visit.
Documents
•
Forms do not need to be completed prior to the site visit.
•
A copy of the completed Self Assessment (see step 2).
•
Site visit schedule (View a SAMPLE Site Visit Schedule)
•
A map of the school highlighting PLTW classrooms and teacher names.
•
Copies of all teacher and counselor PLTW Core Training certifications.
•
Site Visit Interview Guide (View SAMPLE Interview Questions).
•
Portfolio/Engineering Notebook & Equipment Guide or
Portfolio/Biomedical Sciences Notebook & Equipment Guide
•
Software Reference Sheet
•
Engineering Site Visit Guide or Biomedical Site Visit Guide
•
Visit Reporting Document (checklist used by site visit team during its
visit).
College Credit at WSU
Wichita State University offers college credit to
students who complete:
• Introduction to Engineering Design (3 credit
hours)
• Principles of Engineering (3 credit hours)
College Credit Requirements
To apply for college credit at WSU, students
must:
• Complete IED or POE at a certified PLTW
high school
• Earn at least 80% in the PLTW course
• Score at least 70% on the end-of-course exam
• Submit a course portfolio
• Pay a $200 per course fee (3 credit hours)