OPAS PLTW Advocacy

This page provides references, data, and presentations useful for explaining what PLTW is, why OPAS cares, and what we and others are doing to promote PLTW in Oregon

Overview:

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is driven by a national non-profit organization that provides infrastructure such as curriculum development, assessments, and teacher professional development to create and support engineering education in high school and middle school.

All students can benefit from the academic rigor of PLTW's standards-based curriculum and practice critical and analytical thinking and problem-solving in a project-based, open-ended environment. In most schools, PLTW is part of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program preparing students for further education and careers.

PLTW is currently ramping up in Oregon with 14 schools expected to offer PLTW courses in the fall of 2008.

OPAS believes that PLTW, done well, provides a research-based and documented method to recruit more students to engineering and applied science college programs and careers. It also gives all students a more engaging and relevant context for and a deeper understanding of math, science, technology, and design -- important 21st century skills.

On January 22, 2008, the OPAS Prepare Workgroup hosted a worksession to better inform themselves and others about Project Lead The Way. Judith D'Amico, PLTW Director for State and Corporate Relations, Western Region, presented. Materials and notes are linked here.

What is Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and How Does It Play Out in Oregon?

What is Project Lead The Way (PLTW)? National PLTW website OPAS PLTW in Brief - 1 pg pdf	Project Lead the Way (PLTW) in Oregon Goals for Oregon Table of current programs as of 12/31/2007 Partner Roles, Status in OR January 22, 2008
PLTW and Career and Technical Education (CTE) What is CTE? Data: CTE students score higher on state benchmarks (5 pg pdf, color graphs)	Oregon's PLTW University Affiliate - OIT Role of the University Affiliate Director Tim Brower Summer Training Institute (STI)
PLTW presentations & blurbs: Tim (44 pg ppt) Abbreviated ppt - in process Issue brief - in process National brochures	Oregon's PLTW Advocates OPAS Initiative home page email Jo Oshiro for more info ODE provides technical assistance Sharing advocacy - matrix & Q&A (5 pg pdf)
PLTW and Accountability Nationally normed tests Schools accepting PLTW for college credit - in process Evaluation 2006-2007 (72 pg pdf)	Funding PLTW in Oregon Grants - Summary pdf Funding goals
PLTW and Equity National goals Cell-phone car starter article Other articles/presentations girls' projects? Evaluation 2006-2007 (72 pg pdf)	Opportunities to help PLTW in Oregon Schools and Districts Community Colleges Businesses & Employers Community Volunteers (?)
PLTW Nuts and Bolts Pedagogy PLTW, Daggett, Bloom's matrix Designer's view includes standards referenced: Pre-Engineering Curriculum slideshow Computer Science and PLTW - pdf Example Lesson Materials - pdf Introduction to Engineering Design: Analysis of Cognitive Levels of Learning and Mathematics and Science Content. March 2008 (42 page pdf with color charts; Intro to Engineering Design, IED, is the first course in the PLTW High School curriculum.)	Oregon's Statewide Articulation Agreements What is an "articulation agreement"? Press release - articulation towards a BS in Manufacturing Engineering Technology OACTE Presentation - "Manufacturing Engineering Technology, A Statewide Partnership Articulating Education for Career Pathways" - 35 slides - [ ppt ][ 13 pg color pdf ] Articulation matrix spreadsheet - [ xls ]

Worksession Materials (from January 22, 2008):

OPAS Worksession Participant's Packet:

OPAS Recap January 2008
OPAS Brief on PLTW
Expected Attendees
OPAS Key Oregon Organizations
Alternate Recognitions for Branded Programs, other than College Credit
Thinking about Pre-Engineering - xls (comparing PLTW to local programs)
PLTW Schools in OR as of 12/31/07
PLTW Grants in Oregon
An Engineering Manager discusses hiring college grads