Standard 15: School/program engages in a continuous improvement process for STEM.
Concept 1: School/program engages in a research-based process for continuous improvement that involves establishing strategic vision and STEM goals, as well as planning for, implementing, monitoring and adjusting STEM initiatives.
The Computer Science uses Advisory Boards and Vertical Alignment to help establish our vision and ensure continuous improvement.
Advisory Board
Our Computer Science team attended a training hosted by the Georgia Department of Education. We learned specific strategies to help build our team and make meaningful progress. Some of the topics included choosing the right mix of members, making an elevator pitch and shared other best practices. Below are a list of resources provided by the presenters.
Using these resources has strengthened our Advisory Board. Please see the content in Standard 5 for Agendas and Minutes.
Using these resources has strengthened our Advisory Board. Please see the content in Standard 5 for Agendas and Minutes.
Vertical Alignment
Our entire Computer Science team from each school attended a Vertical Alignment training provided by the Georgia Department of Education. This training taught us about how to select curriculum, build teacher capacity and get community partners. The link below shows our collaboration document that we created at the training. After the training, we met again to discuss how to implement the vision in each of our classroom. As a result of these trainings, the Computer Science Department feels more like one unit instead of 4 separate entities.
Concept 2: School/program engages in a process for strategic resource management to ensure that there are adequate resources and supports for the full implementation of the STEM program.
Our Computer Science is funded by a variety of sources to meet the needs of the Computer Science classes. We get a Perkins grant from the federal government, a local grant from our school system, and we also have fundraisers and occasionally receive donations.
Local Budget
Our computer science program is funded through federal, state, and local funds. Our system matches our local funds to our federal funds to ensure that teachers have adequate funds to purchase resources to support our computer science program.
Perkins Grant
Our computer science was largely helped by Perkins Grant and the Construction Related Equipment Grant (CRE).
The CRE is a state grant awarded to schools that are in the process of building their career tech education programs. It is a one year grant to be used solely on career tech specific equipment. Our computer sciences courses benefit from these funds in the outfitting of our computer science lab. These items also benefit our Esports team, TSA, and FBLA.
The Perkins Grant is a fund that our district applies for each year. Prior to this year we had autonomy in how the money was delegated, but this year there is a reauthorization of the Perkins fund. It's now tied to areas of need. Our system completed a needs assessment and identified two areas of focus, improving end of pathway results and improving the number of students that participate in work based education.
The CRE is a state grant awarded to schools that are in the process of building their career tech education programs. It is a one year grant to be used solely on career tech specific equipment. Our computer sciences courses benefit from these funds in the outfitting of our computer science lab. These items also benefit our Esports team, TSA, and FBLA.
The Perkins Grant is a fund that our district applies for each year. Prior to this year we had autonomy in how the money was delegated, but this year there is a reauthorization of the Perkins fund. It's now tied to areas of need. Our system completed a needs assessment and identified two areas of focus, improving end of pathway results and improving the number of students that participate in work based education.
Local Fundraisers
One fundraiser that earns our program a lot of money is our Phone Repair business. The Computer Science Club fixes broken screens on iPhones for $20 over the price of the part. The fundraiser has been a huge success as students are always breaking their phone screens. Below are some of the documents the students use:
Donations
Occassionally, our department will get donations from local businesses. We have received multiple donations over the years.
- AllTek: Used Laptops, Used Desktop Computers, Used Networking Equipment
- Tanner: Used Desktop Computers
- Southwire: Old Servers, Used Desktop Computers
Inventory Process
In order to ensure our resources are being used for their intended purposes Carrollton City Schools conducts an inventory audit twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. In addition to our internal audit, every five years the department of education conducts an inventory verification. This took place this school year.