Showcase of Model School Programs

The Committee on Public Secondary Schools (CPSS) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Seventh Annual Showcase of Model School Programs Friday, October 18, 2013

Request for Proposals

The Showcase will include three sessions with four member school presentations during each time period as well as a lunchtime speaker. We are looking for twelve member schools that have model programs based on the Standards for Accreditation to present. Each program should address one of the following themes that run through one or more of the Standards for Accreditation:

- Developing and implementing an assessment plan and reporting to students, parents, and the community using school-wide rubrics - Personalization programs (e.g., advisory, senior project, instruction) - Developing and implementing 21st century learning expectations - Formative assessment and the use of school-wide analytic rubrics - Addressing grouping patterns to reflect diversity, foster heterogeneity, and reflect current research and best practice - Making time for collaboration among teachers for the purpose of improving curriculum, assessment and instruction - Using technology to improve student learning

The Presentation: - 75 minutes for up to 80 people - should use technology and be interactive, if possible; presenters provide laptop and must bring handouts for all attendees

CPSS provides: - registration for a team of four presenters including lunch and continental breakfast - roundtrip mileage for one car from the school to the Westford Regency - each team member is able to attend two sessions and the lunch program - assistance to the school in relating the school’s program to Standards - CPSS unfortunately can not provide lodging or additional meals for presenters

Preparing Your Showcase Proposal 1. Please identify one primary presenter and up to three secondary presenters. CPSS will officially correspond with the primary presenter. It is the primary presenter's responsibility to communicate all Showcase information to any and all secondary presenters. Provide your school’s name, address, a telephone number and email where the primary presenter can be reached, including during the summer. 2. Develop a program title and be sure that your title clearly describes exactly what the session is about and is no more than 10 words. CPSS reserves the right to edit program titles. 3. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms that don't clearly explain the program's content. 4. Use active verbs to describe exactly what will occur in the session. Examples include words such as describe, discuss, role-play, and present. 5. Describe specific presentation techniques that you will be using--such as interactive, lecture, or multimedia--so that participants will know what kind of session they will be attending. 6. Describe what you will be doing in the session and what the participants can expect to leave with. 7. Identify the Standards (using current 2011 Standards) and the specific indicators that your presentation addresses. Identify best practice that your program addresses. 8. Write in complete sentences. Do not use phrases. Limit your description to 75 words. CPSS reserves the right to edit session descriptions.

In no more than two pages, please send the above information electronically no later than July 1, 2013, to: George Edwards Deputy Director [email protected] (781) 425-7735

Review and Notification Questions reviewers will ask when evaluating proposals include: - How well does the proposal relate to a Showcase theme and the Standards for Accreditation? - Does the proposal contain innovative ideas that have helped the school to improve? - Will the proposal's content attract and stimulate Showcase attendees' thinking? - Is the proposal clearly written, and does it specify what participants might gain from the session? - Are the ideas, practices, and programs replicable, and do they focus on the "whys" and "hows"? - Are the presentation techniques current and diverse?

Guidelines: - Do not submit a proposal unless you can present your session any time during the Showcase scheduled for October 18, 2013. - Persons presenting at the NEASC/CPSSS Showcase are expected to use material and language that do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, or sexual orientation. - By August 15, 2013, CPSS will notify the primary presenter about whether or not the proposal was accepted.