Project Topic: ILN Rigor Meter
Project Title: "Calibrating Rigor in the Urban High School Classroom"
Contact: Irvin L. Scott at iscott2 at boston.k12.ma.us
The Idea
My idea is to develop an inexpensive technological tool that will enable students, teachers, and admininistrators determine the level of critical thinking that is expected of students. While this tool could be prove beneficial to students all around the world, I am most interested in the persistent achievement and access gaps in America (urban / rural v. suburban, Black / Hispanic v. White / Asian). These disparties do not bode well for a thriving democracy.
Background:
Although American is experiencing an economic crisis now, it may pale in comparison to what we experience in the future if there is no collective vision and strategy for how to address the challenges of urban education. Although there are many challenges that face students and educators in Urban school districts, one of the greatest is the level of rigor of the curriculum and instruction in the urban districts in comparison to their suburban and international peers. Generally speaking, students in America's cities and rural communities can expect far less challenging work than their peers in suburban and international peers. At the high school level, the lack of rigor and relevant curriculum leads to disengaged students who eventually drop out of school, which leads to America's dropout crisis. http://dropoutnation.net/?m=200809
I propose developing a tool to help systematize the level of rigor in classrooms in a school and eventually schools in a district. The tool would use Bloom's Taxonomy as the framework guiding students through engaging intellectual pursuits. Use of the tool will require intensive, embedded training for teachers in its use. But eventually would become a tool that could enhance teacher learning communities where professional learn and adapt.
Info on community organization:
Although I am an employee in the Boston Public Schools, I am not submitting this request on behalf of the district. I am also a doctoral student at Harvard Graduate School of Education, and my doctoral research is focused on urban high school instructional improvement.
Info on interests/skills sought:
Experience with urban communities or rural communities; (states or international); teaching experience or interests; Brain Research / Critical Thinking expertise; technology, electronics, software development experience; intellectual property expertise. |