Standard 16: School/program conducts evaluative activities to ensure the effectiveness of STEM implementation.
Concept 1: School/program engages in a formal process to evaluate the effectiveness of its STEM initiatives and activities in terms of impact on student learning and development.
The Computer Science program uses reflection and data analysis to determine the effectiveness of our curriculum and activities.
Reflection
We are constantly reviewing assignments to improve and tweak content as needed. Sometimes the curriculum needs minor adjustments to clarify vague instructions or to more clearly articulate the expectations. Other times, data from post tests can reveal weaknesses in activities that need to be addressed. Occasionally, the standards or industry changes and the curriculum needs to be updated as a whole.
The example below demonstrates the growth and adjustments that can change over time. Version 1 is one of the first assignments I gave as a Computer Science teacher. At the time, it made sense to me, but beginning programming students had a hard time getting started. Version 2 expanded on the instructions to be more clear. We also substituted the Lazy Days for States of Matter. The former was made up of arbitrary numbers, where as the States of Matter had very clear data points. Overall, it made the output much clearer. Finally, Version 3 welcomed new teaching techniques like gamifications and added images.
The example below demonstrates the growth and adjustments that can change over time. Version 1 is one of the first assignments I gave as a Computer Science teacher. At the time, it made sense to me, but beginning programming students had a hard time getting started. Version 2 expanded on the instructions to be more clear. We also substituted the Lazy Days for States of Matter. The former was made up of arbitrary numbers, where as the States of Matter had very clear data points. Overall, it made the output much clearer. Finally, Version 3 welcomed new teaching techniques like gamifications and added images.
Data Analysis
The Computer Science department uses data to make decisions on a regular basis on a variety of topics. Our department looks at our enrollments and activity participants for diversity in the program. Knowing the diversity trends will help us address shortcomings with meaningful strategies. We also track parent contacts frequently. Parents and students are treated more like clients and we want to check in frequently to ensure good customer service. We also spend a lot of time digging deep into benchmarks and other assessments for information. For example after a deep dive into an AP Computer Science A benchmark, I was able to create the End of pathway Danger Zone table. This assisted me in forming small groups to help students with their specific weaknesses.
Concept 2: School/program engages in a formal process to evaluate the effectiveness of its STEM initiatives and activities in terms of improvement of professional and teaching practices.
TKES
The Teacher Keys Effectiveness System is a formal process that was developed to provide equitable instruction and best teaching practices across the state. Our computer science courses are evaluated using this rubric in order to ensure their activities are consistently aligned with these best practices.
Learn more about TKES at gadoe.edu.
Learn more about TKES at gadoe.edu.
Walkthroughs
Over the past couple of years, the Carrollton City Schools system has adopted a Rigor Walk to get a pulse of our content areas, grade levels, and schools in connection with research based best teaching practices and how instruction should look in relation to our two district initiatives, literacy and relationships. This rubric is used in our computer science courses to help ensure these same best practices. These results are shared with administrators and a team of teachers to be redelivered to staff with a goal of one area to work to improve.