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Both programs recognize the commitment of schools to the quality standards of the Project Lead The Way programs. However, the two processes are distinct:
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Recognition Process |
| Certifications Main Page |
| Middle School Program |
| Self Assessment |
| Application |
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Yes. |
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No. The high school and middle/junior high school programs are separate from one another. |
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The SOE and PLTW high school certification are two different programs. In a grade 7 - 9 school, you would apply for both programs. |
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The principal of the Middle/Junior High
School applies on the online pltw middle school application PLTW
will send an electronic application packet including an overview of the
process and an assessment form which should be completed, submitted by
the principal and others participating in the review process, and
returned to PLTW by electronic mail. If the school signs the PLTW
release, it should be mailed, along with a check for $150, to |
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Yes. PLTW will also be asking for information on the following: · Is the Gateway program available to all students? · Is there teaming across disciplines of the Middle/Junior High School curricula that includes Gateway? · Does the Middle/Junior High School conduct visits to the high school PLTW program, where one exists, to introduce it to students? · Are parents and college/industry offered opportunities to visit the Middle/Junior High School Gateway program to see student work? · Has the wider school community been made aware of the Gateway program through newsletters, newspaper articles, or Open House presentations? |
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There are two ways: · Completing the assessment form and providing some visuals of the Gateway to Technology program in action (i.e., power point slides or digital pictures); · Responding to follow-up questions, if any, from Project Lead The Way. |
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PLTW requires that the school convene a committee to review the Gateway to Technology program and to complete the application. The committee would include the following: the principal or designee, the Gateway-trained teacher(s), a school counselor, a parent, and a member of the community, such as, an engineer, and a member of the high school PLTW Partnership Team should the high school be a member of the PLTW Network. Schools are required to include at least two students, one female and one male, in the application process, such as, in the completion of the application, in the creation of power point slides, or in the submission of digital photos |
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Yes. The fee is $150 |
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Because the Gateway to Technology program will be expanded, the Standard of Excellence recognition lasts for five years. Middle/Junior High Schools are encouraged to consider re-applying, following a shorter process, each five years. |
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Many schools develop slide and photo presentations to demonstrate the Gateway to Technology program to students, parents and to the community. PLTW is requesting electronic copies of some of these visuals for possible inclusion on its website, in PLTW presentations, and/or in its newsletter to recognize the school's Gateway to Technology program. As part of the application packet, PLTW will provide a PLTW Release form. Q. What might be included in the visuals? A. The visuals might include students involved in one project from each unit, the elements of the program, or other content which a school would normally show to students, parents, or to the community. Students may work on the development of the visuals under the supervision of the PLTW teacher. |
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As a general guideline, PLTW would like to see one digital photo for each of the four units; students would appear engaged in some aspect of the units. In the application, each slide and/or photo should be numbered, the activity identified and students (and others) identified. Additional slides/photos may include information about the Gateway program at your school. The number of visuals should range from 4 - 8. |
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PLTW requests that the application be completed in Microsoft Word. |
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PLTW encourages electronic submission; however, we would be happy to accept the application/slides on a disk, along with a paper copy, that would be mailed to Lisa Anne Bobrischew, Coordinator, Middle School Recognition Program, Project Lead The Way, 747 Pierce Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065. Schools are encouraged to make copies of any materials they send to PLTW. PLTW is not responsible for the loss of such materials or in their return. |
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Schools should follow whatever their policies are concerning confidentiality. It is desirable for at least ONE slide/photo to identify the school, principal, and teacher(s). We would like to place at least this ONE slide on the PLTW website when the school is recognized. Students may be identified by their first names only in this ONE slide or included but not identified. Follow whatever the school policies are concerning identification. |
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At the time the completed application is sent to PLTW, the principal of the school will be asked to sign a release which allows PLTW to use/show the slides/photos to PLTW teachers during training, to school counselors at the annual Counselor Conferences, or to other PLTW personnel for informational purposes. The release will also allow PLTW to use pictures or slides on the PLTW or National Affiliate websites and in our newsletter, and to identify the school and state. |
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Yes. If a school does not wish its visuals to be used by PLTW, they will be reviewed at the PLTW National headquarters and then destroyed. We will not use the ONE slide (mentioned in a previous questions) if the school does not sign the release. In that case, we would only recognize the name of the school on the website and in printed materials, at our discretion. |
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In addition to formal recognition in writing, the school will be: · Awarded a banner with the PLTW logo and Middle School Standard of Excellence on it
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