R+and+J+group+5

=Rigor and Justice Planning: =

What are the sections/pieces to your project?

 (Divide the writing of your project into separate pieces…i.e. rationale, mission statement, implementation, goals, etc. These pieces will be different for every group. Decide how your group wants to handle them)

Our project will include the following pieces: A rationale for a NYC public middle school and a teacher education school/program attached to it. A mission statement for both the school and the corresponding degree program. A description of the relationship between the two education plans as well as the specific goals for each. An overview of the curriculum for both the teacher education program and the school. A logistical plan for both the teacher education program and the school (including disciplinary procedures, staff development/hiring requirements, and admissions policies)

Who’s doing what?  (Assign group members to head each of these pieces)

We will work together for most of these pieces. Lauren will be the lead for the school portion of the project, and Kaitlin will lead the teacher education program portion.

What are the specific goals or objectives for your project?

We would like to create an ideal education for both students and teachers. We aim to create a rigorous yet welcoming school environment for public school students, specifically those who qualify as Title 1. Unlike charter schools, we will have no parent agreement/lottery system because we want to reach a population that is in no way self-selecting. In addition, we aim to create an educational program for teachers that prepares them to enter their first year of teaching in private, charter, or public schools at the level of confidence and competency of a fourth year teacher. We aim to prepare teachers for the difficulties faced in the public school system, so they can be leaders in any school upon graduation.

What specific, concrete steps will your group propose to achieve these goals?

We will research existing symbiotic programs, ie. those at Bank Street and Teacher's College. We will research high performing charter school networks such as KIPP and Uncommon Schools. We will brainstorm common problems in the public school system that we face using our classmates, our colleagues, and our personal experiences. We will brainstorm best practices in how to solve or prepare teachers to approach these problems using our classmates, our colleagues, and our personal experiences. We will meet weekly to combine our ideas and formulate plans and goals.

What are your ends in mind? How will you know if your project is successful?

We will know if our project is successful if we can deliver our presentation to teachers working at public, private, and charter schools and have them see our plan as a feasible and comprehensive possibility. Our project will be successful if we feel it is a plan that could be implemented and replicated in the immediate future and sustained over time. We will know we are successful if we get a standing ovation from the class, and an A+ and a "you two are my best students...EVER" from Jeta.

What creative and persuasive ways are you planning on presenting this project to us?

We plan to sell our schools to our peers as if it were already in existence, with an emblem, motto, mascot, and potentially an informational video. We plan to use technology to have our schools look real and engaging to our audience. We may even come up with a school anthem and perform it. = = Looks great!--Jeta

Rigor and Justice Document Rough Drafts

