Certification

  What is the certification process?

The process involves four steps: Self-assessment, Site visit, Classroom/portfolio review, and National Affiliate/PLTW certification

  What fundamental criteria must be met by a school electing to participate in the program? 

There are five:

• Does the school have PLTW-trained teachers using specific PLTW instructional methodology in the courses for which they were trained? Do these teachers participate in the ongoing training?

• Does the school use equipment minimally based on the PLTW equipment specifications including both hardware and software?

• Does the school maintain yearly counselor participation in the PLTW counselor conferences?

• Are all students enrolled in PLTW courses also enrolled in appropriate math courses at the same time? Does the school actively promote the program?

• Does the school have a PLTW Partnership Team which meets on a regular basis with a specific agenda and goals to accomplish?
   

  What is included in the self-assessment component?

A questionnaire will be sent to schools electing to participate in the certification process. Personnel involved in organizing, teaching and supporting the PLTW courses will be asked a series of basic questions which address the fundamental criteria and other areas.

 What will occur during the site visit? 

The site team will be composed of a team leader, designated by a National Affiliate in collaboration with PLTW, and team members selected by the school district; representatives should include members from the school system, local industry, and parent groups. The visit will last one day and will include interviews of administrators, teachers, students, counselors, parents and board members regarding the quality of the PLTW program and its accomplishments; observations of PLTW courses and those math and science classrooms directly appropriate for PLTW students; review of students' graded portfolios; and a debriefing session with school administrators before the team leaves the school facility.

 What is the cost to the school district for the certification process?

The fee for the certification process will be determined by the Affiliate University.

 Must a school be re-certified in the future?

Schools will need a certification visit each 5 years.

 When will the school receive a final report? 

A written report will be sent to the school within one month

 What will the report contain if the school has not received certification?

For schools not receiving certification through the process, the report will indicate the areas which need to be strengthened. Depending on the areas and the time of year, the school may have an opportunity to demonstrate achievement in these areas and receive certification at a later time in the school year. The report will provide a timeline or a process for these schools to receive certification in the future.

 What is the difference between a Certified School and a Provisionally Certified School? 

A Certified School has met all standards in the National Affiliate/PLTW Certification Process. The Certification Team may designate a school which does not meet all of the standards as a Provisionally Certified School. This school would be given a specified time by the Team to overcome these limitations and to become a Certified School.

 What happens if the Provisionally Certified School does not reach the standard within the specified time established by the Certification Team?

The school would lose its certification, and any benefits to its students, including involvement in the Exemplary Student Program, would end.

 May a qualified student be recognized as an Exemplary Student and apply for transcripted credit at a National Affiliate in a Provisionally Certified School?

Yes, if the student has met all of the requirements, including an 85% average in the PLTW course, all curriculum requirements and a portfolio which includes all required work from all units, a passing score on the college credit examination, and tuition payment.

 How soon after a school has been certified may students apply for transcripted credit if they have met all criteria in the Exemplary Student program?

Students in certified schools may apply for transcripted credit by July 3; these students will have collected a portfolio during the year, prepared for the college credit exam (developed by National Affiliates/PLTW) , received an 85 or better average by the end of the course, passed the college credit examination with a C (70%) or better, and paid tuition. Interested students should go to the Parents/Students page and click Student Recognition Program .

 How is the certification process begun?

The principal of a school teaching PLTW courses should send a letter expressing interest in participating in the process to their Regional Director by March 30. Here is an example letter from the Principal to a National Training Center.
Visits will occur in April and May. Contact will be made with the school and a date for the visit will be established. Additional details of the visit will be outlined in a letter to the school. Beginning in the 2000 - 01 school year, schools interested in participating in the process may send their letters from January - March 30. It is the intent of the Certification Team from a National Affiliate/PLTW to certify as many schools as possible within the second semester; visits will be scheduled as time permits in the order in which the letters are received. Schools which are not visited because of scheduling or time restraints may re-submit their request the following year.

 What is the role of the school in informing students of the Exemplary Student Program? 

Schools and teachers of PLTW courses are asked to publicize the program to all of their students at the beginning of the school year by summarizing the requirements and the process students would need to follow. In addition, students should be encouraged to visit the PLTW website and read the information entitled Student Program in the Certifications folder.

 When may a school apply for certification?

Schools may request certification as early as the first year of offering IED (DDP) or DE to their students. In these cases, the site visit will take place later in the school year. During the year following certification, these schools will be asked to demonstrate that their students are successfully completing their portfolios and/or that the program is meeting any other requirements, specified in the certification letter.