AdvancED® STEM Certification

1.8 STEM Indicators Narrative

Banneker 3DE Magnet uses a range of data sources (including standardized, locally created,
quantitative, and qualitative) to monitor student growth and readiness for the next level of STEM
learning and/or work. The 3DE STEM program is designed to provide content specific skills as
well as STEM learning experiences that will cause students to persist in STEM careers and post-
secondary education. Students can develop STEM-specific skills as well as 21st-century skills
such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication which have been
identified as necessary for success in education, life and work. In Georgia, schools are given an
overall rating on the college and career ready performance index (CCRPI). This rating includes
multiple measures of college and career readiness, such as earning credit through accelerated
enrollment (academic or technical courses); completing pathways in a variety of fields; passing
assessments used for college entry or industry credentials; or completing a work‐based learning
program supervised and evaluated by an employer in a field related to the student’s program of
study. For all grade levels, literacy – the ability to read and comprehend texts – and a track
record of attendance are critical measures of college and career readiness. The 3DE magnet uses
these same indicators to measure the college and career readiness of our graduating seniors.
Our STEM program has not been in existence for a complete four years. We consistently
look at local and standardized data to assess the performance of our students and will use this
data as well as the results of this year’s graduating 3DE seniors to help inform our instructional
focus. The strengths for this evidence include increased attendance rates, career pathway
completions and industry credentials, work-based learning participation and increased scores on
standardized assessments.
The SAT data for this year’s 3DE cohort is not indicative of what is needed for our students
to be to be successful in college and careers. Students meeting the SAT’s evidence-based reading
and writing (480) and math (530) college readiness benchmarks mean they have a 75 percent
chance of earning at least a C in a first semester, credit bearing college course. This year’s 3DE
seniors scored 4.3 percent lower in evidence-based reading and 25 percent lower in math.
However, if we consider that this year’s graduating 3DE seniors began high school four years
ago at 5th and 6th grade levels, the narrative changes.
The continued implementation of a comprehensive STEM program with computational
thinking and learning student engagement experiences will help improve the achievement levels
of students. Engaging students in STEM learning experiences and STEM environments help to
create curiosity, rigor and relevance which all drive gains in achievement.