New Certification Process
for High School Programs
Presented By: Bryan Coburn
Georgia Southern University
Why bother with a new
process?
PLTW™ Mission
Create dynamic partnerships with
our nation’s schools to prepare an
increasing and more diverse
group of students to be successful
in science, engineering and
engineering technology programs.
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Goal One: Quality and Consistency of
Program Implementation
By 2011 all Project Lead The Way® schools
will meet school certification standards
whereby every Project Lead The Way®
school shall be held accountable to meet
and maintain the quality set of
implementation and performance
standards as established by Project Lead
The Way, Inc.
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Attributes of a PLTW™ Curriculum:
Contextual project/problem-based
instruction
Integration of the national standards in
M,S,T and ELA
Successful preparation of students for
2/4 post secondary programs of study
Support for the technology workforce
pipeline
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School District Agreement
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School Agreement Highlights
2.1. High school programs will implement 4
courses within 4 years; GTT a minimum of 2
units.
2.2. High school students will be concurrently
enrolled in college prep mathematics.
4.1. & 2. Schools will use designated
software and will annually purchase software
from PLTW™ or a designated reseller.
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School Agreement Highlights
9. Equipment meeting PLTW™
specifications will be provided for
instruction.
10.B Written or electronic versions of the
PLTW™ high school end-of-course
assessments will be administered.
11.C. High schools will begin the
certification process no later than the 2nd
year of their PLTW™ participation.
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School Agreement Highlights
7.A. Faculty will participate in all 3 phases
of professional development.
7.D. Laptop and software are provided for
the sole use of teachers while teaching
PLTW™
7.E.iii. & F. Training and transportation costs
for teachers and counselors are covered by
the district.
8. Partnership team is established and
operating by the end of second year.
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What do I need to know?
Steps PLTW™ has taken
1. Aligned Certification Process and new
documents with Project Lead The Way ®
Quality Indicators
2. Assisted states in the selection of
Certification Team Members
3. Conducted Professional Development for
Teams
4. Developed and Implemented full network
rollout plan
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Certification Process Documents
Guide for Schools
Self- Assessment
Portfolio/Engineering Notebook and
Equipment Guide
Software Listing
Site Visit Interview Guide
School Visit Sample Schedule
Equipment Pictures
Site Visit Guide
Visit Reporting Document
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Certification Outcomes
Certified – meets all required components
Provisional – one or more requirements are
not met. Timeline for compliance is
determined, students can participate in
college credit – school does not receive star
or banner
Probation – School refuses to meet
agreement requirements. Letter sent to
Superintendent & Principal from PLTW™.
Timeline for compliance is given – noncompliance results in removal from PLTW™13
network
Gateway To Technology
Basic Implementation
Design and Modeling
(sequence may vary)
Automation and Robotics
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Full Implementation
Design and Modeling
Automation and Robotics
Science of Technology
(sequence may vary)
Magic of Electrons
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Optional
Flight and Space
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High School: Engineering
Foundation:
(sequence may vary)
Introduction to Engineering Design
Principles of Engineering
Digital Electronics
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Specialization:
Aerospace Engineering
Biotechnical Engineering
Civil Engineering & Architecture
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
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Capstone:
Engineering Design and Development
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High School: Biomedical Sciences
1. Principles of the Biomedical Sciences
2. Human Body Systems
3. Medical Interventions
4. Science Research
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How do I go about it?
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High School Certification Process
Self-assessment is downloaded from the PLTW™
website.
Self-Assessment is completed and submitted
electronically.
Purchase order is generated.
Evaluator contacts the school and sets up the visit.
The visit is conducted to verify a quality program exists.
Completed Report and Site Visit Guide are sent to
school and PLTW ™ national office by the lead
evaluator.
National office sends congratulatory letter and banner
to fully certified schools.
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Gateway To Technology
Recognition Process
Self-assessment is downloaded from the PLTW™
website.
Self-Assessment is completed and returned to national
office with supporting documentation and fee.
Existence of a quality program is verified.
National office sends congratulatory letter and banner
to the school.
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Benefits of Certification
High School
Gateway To Technology
Participation in the
college credit exams.
National school
recognition.
Satisfaction of one of the
eligibility requirements to
apply for a master
teacher position.
Assistance in “honors or
weighted credit.”
National school
recognition.
Satisfaction of one of the
future eligibility
requirements to apply for
a master teacher
position.
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Webpage screen capture
Certification
Process and
Documents
Found here:
Assessment
& Evaluation
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Questions?
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