Standard 16

Standard 16 - School/program conducts evaluative activities to ensure the effectiveness of STEAM implementation.

Through the use of rubrics and summative assessments, we are able to track and review for understanding the effectiveness of STEAM learning through our students. In addition, we have spent time analyzing and breaking down all of our math assessments to evaluate their effectiveness. In science, we have transitioned our paper and pencil assessments to being more than a “test” but incorporated performance-based assessments as means of truly checking for our students comprehension of the standards taught. 

Student surveys provide us with regular feedback to know the strengths and weaknesses in the program. For example, extended inquiry has been overly successful and a positive experience for our students. Also, we see that our students are wanting to use STEAM thinking in all their learning which supports the school-wide model of STEAM we are currently implementing. 

Instructional walkthroughs and peer observation opportunities provide us with the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of our program and look for ways to strengthen it. By compiling observations from multiple people we are able to look through the program through different lenses and consider changes to strengthen it.