In Iowa, we continue to create a strong foundation and partnerships for the continued growth of the Power2Achieve programming across the state. As the first Power2Achieve Regional Center in the nation, we are thrilled to partner with IEE on several innovative projects that has an impact on the culture of excellence and ethics.
Starting several years ago with our initial training at IEE, we have partnered with the Iowa Department of Education, inviting the DE Learning Supports Consultant to attend an intense and inspiring immersion in the Smart & Good research and the evolving Power2Achieve programming. This collaboration has been invaluable as we all work together to define and refine the P2A program and its authentic alignment with Iowa’s Core Curriculum and 21st Century Skills roll out. Our complimentary work together is best captured in a document that was generated by Director, Judy Jeffrey and her colleagues at the Department of Education which I have posted below.
We’ve established the foundation and are looking forward to continued opportunities to work with the DE, administrators, faculty and students in Iowa’s schools with the Power2Achieve programming.
A statement by the Iowa Department of Education on Power2Achieve™ Programming:
Although significant resources have been invested in improvements to teaching and learning, most schools across the nation have failed to close the achievement gap. Iowans want every student prepared for today’s technology-rich, global economy regardless of ethnicity, income, or geographical location. The Core Curriculum helps Iowa Schools deliver that education through a student-based approach that supports higher expectations for all students. It builds on Iowa’s long history of community leadership in education and relies on partners across the state for implementation in high schools by 2012. The Iowa Core Curriculum bolsters Iowa’s education structure through mandated state content standards and benchmarks aligned to improve student achievement. A continuum of learning supports that remove barriers to learning will increase the capacity of the Iowa Core Curriculum to reach all students.
Power2Achieve™ programming is designed to develop the culture and competencies of excellence and ethics needed for teaching and learning in Iowa’s high schools. Implemented together the programs boost teaching and learning in all classrooms (1) by identifying the competencies needed for learning and developing them through everyday teaching and learning, and (2) by reinforcing academic achievement and pro-social development through the whole-school culture of excellence and ethics. The Power2Achieve programming is designed to impact essential elements of the Iowa Core Curriculum and newly required 21st Century Skills. The combination of a highly relevant and rigorous Core Curriculum within a school-wide culture dedicated to the development of excellence and ethics is a recipe for success.
Through collaboration with the Institute for Character Development and the Institute for Excellence & Ethics the Iowa Department of Education will connect the culture and competencies of excellence and ethics with the Core Curriculum (21st Century Skills) and Learning Supports Initiatives. Power2Achieve™ programming is based on the ground breaking research of Dr. Thomas Lickona and Dr. Matt Davidson outlined in the Smart & Good High Schools Report. To support data-driven school improvement, the Power2Achieve programming utilizes the Collective Responsibility for Excellence and Ethics (CREE) Assessment Tools and Processes to benchmark and continuously assess the culture and competencies of excellence and ethics.
Four field research schools in Iowa are implementing Power2Achieve programming (Power2Learn and Power2Teach) during the 2009-2010 school year (along with approximately 20 high schools around the country). The Power2Achieve™ programs are supported by including leadership development, staff and faculty coaching, ongoing professional development and user-friendly multimedia learning support resources.
The innovative Power2Achieve™ programs provide powerful tools for realizing the goals of the Core Curriculum and the 21st Century Skills across the state of Iowa including decreasing dropouts, boosting academic achievement, improving workforce preparation, and preparing youth to become productive citizens and lead fulfilling lives.
