STEM-ESS Planning

STEM-ESS Planning: What, Why, Who and When

What

The STEM-ESS Plan begins with a strategic vision statement crafted by the STEM-ESS Team based on their understanding of how STEM and serving Latinos aligns with the Institutional Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan. From there, prioritized goals are identified based upon the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) and STEM-ESS priorities. For each goal a detailed work plan is developed, with measurable objectives, tactics, activities, owners, needed resources, and an approximate time frame for the work. A table of 3-6 month deliverables is generated on the last page.

Why

The value gained from developing the STEM-ESS Plan includes:

• Translation of priorities identified during STEM-ESS Assessment into an actionable plan, including next steps

• Structured process to identify a cohesive portfolio of STEM-ESS research prospects for potential solutions with owners and next steps that are tied to the institution's vision and mission

• Gain institutional support for implementation with an evidence-based case for change and measurable outcomes

• Improved sustainability of STEM-ESS related activities

• Proactive pursuit of research funding opportunities (instead of reactive responses with inadequate lead time)

• Potential to redirect unused Title V funds and resources to build supporting infrastructure that enables STEM education research projects

• A crucial step that will help you to move forward in pursuing and establishing evidence-based student serving practices in your STEM programs.

Who and When

After discussing and interpreting the STEM-ESS Assessment data as part of the STEM-ESS Institute professional development offering, within a sponsored research project, or as a second step in a fee-for-service STEM-ESS bundle, the STEM-ESS team is ready to develop their STEM-ESS Plan. The entire team should participate in the development of the STEM-ESS plan, and engage with other stakeholders who are key to plan approval and implementation.

The team should refer to examples of STEM-ESS Practices from the STEM-ESS Model as possible interventions to adopt and adapt. An initial draft that includes the strategic vision statement, prioritized goals, and at least one detailed work plan can be generated in about a day with facilitation. Ongoing internal discussions are needed to obtain stakeholder buy-in and develop detailed work plans for the other goals.

Remember that planning is an iterative process. The STEM-ESS Plan will help you begin to move forward and it will likely change over time as you implement, learn, monitor for impacts, re-assess, and refine your actions.

Example Feedback from STEM-ESS participants

• Discussions were grounded in feasibility, so it is reasonable to believe we could implement our plans and achieve our goals.

• It was exciting to move from data analysis yesterday to a plan today. The framework was very helpful with that.

• We already set-up a meeting to share with key stakeholders and will share the assessment and plan so we can keep building on it.

• We will need administrative focus and faculty willingness to engage new ways of thinking about the Hispanic student population we serve.

• We have a good concept. The 3-6 month work was nice as it allowed us to think a little about how to continue our work and what audiences need to hear now or can wait until the plan is more formed.